The deadline for the state budget is fast approaching.
Negotiations continue as the plan must pass by Thursday.
New York State Budget Director Robert Mujica tells @patkiernan there will be a state spending plan in place by tonight’s midnight deadline. The slow pace of negotiations had led some lawmakers to believe they may break for holiday and come back Monday to pass bulk of budget bills
— Zack Fink (@ZackFinkNews) March 31, 2021
State Budget Director Robert Mujica told NY1 the top priorities of the budget are coming together, including deals on recreational marijuana and public safety.
He also assured that negotiations are moving forward without distraction, despite the misconduct investigation surrounding the governor.
"The budget negotiations have been seamless, just like any other year. We've been meeting with the legislature all day, all night. The governor has been having calls with the leaders regularly,” Mujica said on “Mornings On 1.”
Mujica says the budget negotiations have not been hampered by the investigations into the governor's conduct. The governor has been "having calls with the (legislative) leaders regularly. It's no different than any other budget year." https://t.co/pRypPHMpAo pic.twitter.com/E4zbEcBTMg
— Pat Kiernan (@patkiernan) March 31, 2021
Mujica said the pandemic creates a unique need for crucial recovery funding, making it the most difficult budget he's worked on in his career.
Will a new tax on the wealthy be part of the nearly-complete NY State budget? On @NY1, State Budget Director Robert Mujica told me that's still up in the air, pending the final negotiations between the governor and legislators. pic.twitter.com/qzvIiqBqpy
— Pat Kiernan (@patkiernan) March 31, 2021