Albany lawmakers press ahead with state budget

Albany lawmakers continued their marathon session Wednesday to pass the state’s budget before midnight and meet an April 1 deadline.

The Senate and Assembly were charging ahead through the night, although negotiations over Medicaid cuts and school aid were expected to be the major sticking points.

An early budget would be a rarity for Albany and a political victory for Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whose $132.5 billion state budget proposal eliminates a $10 billion deficit without raising taxes.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has blasted the state for the cuts in city aid under Cuomo’s budget proposal, on Wednesday seemed to soften his rebuke, telling reporters that he’s “sympathetic” to the governor’s situation.