News

NEW YORK, NY March 28, 2008 —Lawmakers continue to work out the details of a budget, the framework of which was agreed to last night between Gov. David Paterson and legislative leaders.

Observers say New York could have a budget by the April 1 deadline.

The tentative, $124 billion plan includes a $1.8 billion increase in state school aid — more than what Paterson's predecessor, Eliot Spitzer, had proposed.

It restores some $800 million in cuts Paterson had proposed on his first day in office, limits spending growth to 4.5 percent, and takes off the table a plan by the Assembly to raise income taxes for millionaires.