News

NEW YORK, NY April 09, 2008 —The Senate and Assembly are scheduled to be at work today at the Capitol passing a $124 billion budget that's more than a week late.

Lawmakers reached a tentative agreement last night after a week marked by legislative boycotts, name-calling and secrecy.

The budget deal will increase spending 4.5 percent. That will include $1.1 billion in capital projects statewide, and a record $1.8 billion increase in school aid - to a total of about $20 billion.

And, despite the nearly $5 billion deficit and declining revenues, the budget deal also includes $170 million in pork-barrel spending for lawmakers to direct to organizations and programs back in their home districts this election year.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said conferences will be held with lawmakers this morning, and then he expects the budget to be passed by day's end.