Sen. John DeFrancisco
/ file photo
ALBANY -- State Senator John DeFrancisco is predicting early passage of the New York State budget.
As Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, DeFrancisco tells CNY Central's Jim Kenyon that he will "direct debate" on a series of budget bills that will go before the full Senate. DeFrancisco says the Senate could begin voting on the budget "as early as this (Tuesday) afternoon but no later than tomorrow morning."
DeFrancisco says he supports the tenative $132 billion spending plan that reduces overall spending by 2 percent, while addressing a $10 billion deficit without new taxes or borrowing. DeFrancisco says for years he's been saying "We can't keep taxing and spending. Fortunately we have a partner in the Governor."
The Senator from Syracuse says he likes the fact there are "long term controls on spending" in the budget. DeFrancisco points to the 4 percent caps on Medicaid and education spending in the future. In particular when it comes to Medicaid spending, DeFrancisco says the state would face a projected $15 billion budget deficit due to increased costs next year, "but with the 4 percent Medicaid cap, brings it down to 2 billion dollars. To me that's the most significant part of the budget."
While DeFrancisco is predicting the Senate will pass the budget before the April 1st deadline, he says Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver also expects early passage.
In light of the state's history with late budgets, do you have faith that the budget will be passed on time? Do you agree with the plan to reduce spending? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think.
