Even though the New York State Assembly finished passing its budget bills on Thursday morning, which means they passed an on-time budget, Speaker Sheldon Silver is acting like they passed an early budget on Wednesday.
In a press release he congratulated "Governor Cuomo on the completion of the Administration’s first budget, the result of which is the enactment of the first "early" state budget since 1983."
According to the state's public information website, Silver's version of events is actually correct. The site (incorrectly) declares that budget bills (SB 2801 and AB 4008) were passed and delivered to the governor on Wednesday.
Apparently the Assembly Majority isn't completely on the same page though, with spokesman Michael Whyland, contending that the change in date was simply a routine computer glitch. He added emphatically that it was not done so that the Assembly could claim they passed an on-time budget. He made this statement about 13 hours after he sent out the press release declaring an "early" budget.
Showing posts with label Sheldon Silver. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sheldon Silver. Show all posts
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Silver's Quid Pro Quo
Speaker Sheldon Silver appears to have named his price on the Senate's tax cap, with the Assembly's passage of the rent control legislation on Monday.
The varying goals of the two chambers were laid out at the beginning of the week, according to Assemblyman Jim Tedisco, R-Glenville. He argued that the tax cap will probably only make it through the Assembly if the Senate acts on rent control legislation.
"Our house didn't pass a property tax cap," said Tedisco. "We passed a rent control bill."
Shortly after the rent control bill was passed, Silver introduced a copy of the tax cap bill. This came after a weekend of ambiguity surrounding the tax cap's future in the Assembly, with its passage almost a guarantee in the Senate (as evident by its easy passage on Monday).
Tedisco contended that Silver was making a very overt gesture to the senate, which was that he will move the tax cap after rent control makes it through the senate. "I think they are tied together," he said.
Going forward it will be interesting to see if the two chambers continue to negotiate this way, especially with the budget, which doesn't seem to offer a lot of wiggle room.
The varying goals of the two chambers were laid out at the beginning of the week, according to Assemblyman Jim Tedisco, R-Glenville. He argued that the tax cap will probably only make it through the Assembly if the Senate acts on rent control legislation.
"Our house didn't pass a property tax cap," said Tedisco. "We passed a rent control bill."
Shortly after the rent control bill was passed, Silver introduced a copy of the tax cap bill. This came after a weekend of ambiguity surrounding the tax cap's future in the Assembly, with its passage almost a guarantee in the Senate (as evident by its easy passage on Monday).
Tedisco contended that Silver was making a very overt gesture to the senate, which was that he will move the tax cap after rent control makes it through the senate. "I think they are tied together," he said.
Going forward it will be interesting to see if the two chambers continue to negotiate this way, especially with the budget, which doesn't seem to offer a lot of wiggle room.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Future of the Property Tax Cap
Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, surprised a packed Convention Center on Wednesday afternoon when he signaled his willingness to embrace a property tax cap.
The cap, which has been passed by the senate at 4%, has never really been considered in the Assembly. During the 2010 election season the cap gained a lot of traction, but it didn't appear to have gained the support of Speaker Silver, who would basically decide what moved through his chamber. Now it looks like Silver, and by extension the Assembly, is ready to act.
But hold your horses say Republican lawmakers. "The devil is in the details," says Republican Senator Roy McDonald. He warns that Silver may not be prepared to do what is necessary to alleviate the tax burden of New Yorkers, which McDonald says is a 2% tax cap.
McDOnald, who wanted to give Silver the benefit of the doubt, said that Silver might embrace the 4% cap, which would fall short. Ultimately, though, he predicted the 2% cap would pass the Assembly, because that is what voters want.
Assemblyman George Amedore, R-Rotterdam, suggested this issue could be a bargaining position for the Speaker. He said Silver might trade in this chip for something else down the road.
Assemblyman Jim Tedisco took the cautiously optimistic approach saying, "I like what the speaker had to say, but I take it with a grain of salt, because actions speak louder than words.”
The cap, which has been passed by the senate at 4%, has never really been considered in the Assembly. During the 2010 election season the cap gained a lot of traction, but it didn't appear to have gained the support of Speaker Silver, who would basically decide what moved through his chamber. Now it looks like Silver, and by extension the Assembly, is ready to act.
But hold your horses say Republican lawmakers. "The devil is in the details," says Republican Senator Roy McDonald. He warns that Silver may not be prepared to do what is necessary to alleviate the tax burden of New Yorkers, which McDonald says is a 2% tax cap.
McDOnald, who wanted to give Silver the benefit of the doubt, said that Silver might embrace the 4% cap, which would fall short. Ultimately, though, he predicted the 2% cap would pass the Assembly, because that is what voters want.
Assemblyman George Amedore, R-Rotterdam, suggested this issue could be a bargaining position for the Speaker. He said Silver might trade in this chip for something else down the road.
Assemblyman Jim Tedisco took the cautiously optimistic approach saying, "I like what the speaker had to say, but I take it with a grain of salt, because actions speak louder than words.”
Ahoy Matey!
So there was definitely a navigational theme for Wednesday's events, which began during Speaker Silver's preamble to the State of the State.
Silver said, at this crucial juncture let us adjust our sails together "and set our great state on a course for hope, prosperity," and the promise of a better day.
But he wasn't the only seafaring politician New York had to offer, with Cuomo taking the metaphor to new heights. The best part of Cuomo's speech was when he explained the passing ships in the sea on the budget process, which came with a picture of battleships that represented Cuomo and the legislative leaders.
Cuomo got some major laughs when he pointed out that the missiles from the special interest ships (think submarine sneak attack akin to World War I) were hitting his ship.
Silver said, at this crucial juncture let us adjust our sails together "and set our great state on a course for hope, prosperity," and the promise of a better day.
But he wasn't the only seafaring politician New York had to offer, with Cuomo taking the metaphor to new heights. The best part of Cuomo's speech was when he explained the passing ships in the sea on the budget process, which came with a picture of battleships that represented Cuomo and the legislative leaders.
Cuomo got some major laughs when he pointed out that the missiles from the special interest ships (think submarine sneak attack akin to World War I) were hitting his ship.
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