Marathon Assembly session targets budget
ALBANY -- The Assembly is planning a marathon session Thursday at the State Capitol to put the finishing touches on New York's 2013-14 budget.
House leaders expect to easily beat the April 1 budget deadline for the third straight year, something New York lawmakers haven't accomplished in three decades. The Democrat-dominated chamber expects to pass the 10 bills that comprise the budget to allow lawmakers to adjourn for Easter weekend.
The politically split State Senate approved the budget in a nearly 12-hour session ending just before 4:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Overall, the 2013-14 plan would increase spending by less than 2 percent, to about $136 billion. The total increases to $142.6 billion when federal aid for superstorm Sandy is included. Highlights include increasing education aid by about 5 percent, mandating a minimum-wage hike to $9 per hour by the end of 2015, bankrolling a $350 "family tax relief" check households will receive during the 2014 election year and renewing the so-called "millionaires' tax" on those earning more than $1 million annually.
Sarra Sounds Off Ep. 35: EI baseball, girls lacrosse and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse.
Sarra Sounds Off Ep. 35: EI baseball, girls lacrosse and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse.
