Senator O'Mara on a final state budget over a month late: 'Terrible way to be running government'

Albany, N.Y., May 4--The State Senate and Assembly, with a message of necessity from Governor Kathy Hochul, today approved a ninth "budget extender" measure to keep state government running while negotiations over a final 2026-2027 budget remain stalled at the Capitol.

Today’s extender legislation authorizes funding to keep state operations running through Wednesday, May 6. The state budget is now over a month late. A new fiscal plan was supposed to be in place by the start of the state’s new fiscal year on April 1.

During debate on the Senate floor earlier today, O'Mara, Ranking Member on the Senate Finance Committee, continued to criticize the lack of details from the state’s Democratic leaders. “It’s not good government. It’s not good for New Yorkers. It certainly provides New Yorkers no opportunity to weigh in on the actual discussions and the agreements that are coming together. That’s just not good government,” said O’Mara.

He also sharply criticized the state’s budget adoption process.

“It’s a terrible way to be running government. It’s a terrible way to be spending over a quarter of a trillion dollars annually in our state budget. It’s very concerning. It’s unsustainable spending with no explanation for New Yorkers whatsoever. This process needs to change,” O’Mara said.

Watch HERE.