March 31, 2026
FROM ASSEMBLYMAN SEMPOLINSKI: Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski (R,C-Canisteo) said the Democrat-controlled budget process has once again failed New Yorkers as the legislature passed a one-week budget extender today to keep the government open past the April 1 state budget deadline. “Here we are again. If we needed more evidence that one-party rule in Albany isn’t working, this is it,” Assemblyman Sempolinski said. “Albany Democrats seem incapable of fulfilling the most fundamental role of government and that’s passing an on-time budget. This highlights, more than anything else, the need to restore common-sense spending practices and to reform the state budget process.”
In January, Gov. Hochul proposed a $262.7 billion executive budget, Assembly Democrats countered with a $272 billion proposal and state Senate Democrats offered a $269.8 billion budget. The governor and leaders of the Assembly and Senate, all of whom are Democrats, are meeting to reconcile the plans. “All these budget proposals by the governor and Democrat majority are over a quarter of a trillion dollars. That’s an irresponsible, unsustainable level of spending and it’s an insult to the hard-working taxpayers of New York who are struggling to pay their utility bills and put food on their tables,” Assemblyman Sempolinski said. “This is exactly what happens when you think the only solution to a problem is throwing more money at it. More government and more taxes aren’t the answer. And we shouldn’t have three people in a room deciding the budget and laws for 20 million. That’s not democracy.” The 2025-2026 state budget wasn’t adopted until May 8, five weeks late.
FROM ASSEMBLYMAN PALMESANO: Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) today commented on the New York state budget missing its mandated April 1 completion deadline and triggering temporary budget extenders that will continue to minimally fund state government operations. The extenders ensure the state makes all necessary payments to keep the government running. With both the governor’s office and the state Legislature controlled by Democrats, Palmesano said the continued failure to enact an on-time budget reflects a lack of urgency and accountability in Albany.
“In typical Albany fashion, the governor and Legislature are going to blow past the legally required April 1 deadline for the state budget. This is dysfunction at its finest; despite being united in the same political party, the Democrats still can’t get a budget done on time, and because of this, we were forced to pass a budget extender to make sure the state can keep the lights on. This is not a one-time failure, it has become the norm. Unfortunately, I imagine this will be the first of many extenders. Families across New York don’t get to pick and choose when they pay their bills, and neither should the state,” said Palmesano. “The deadline is not new, and the expectations are not unclear. For Albany Democrats to once again miss it is unacceptable, but at this point not surprising as the budget has not been on time since 2019. Year after year, this process drags on, reducing transparency and limiting the ability of members and the public to fully review what is being passed. “And the consequences are real. School districts, local governments, and communities are forced to make decisions without the certainty they need. They don’t have the luxury of waiting for Albany to catch up. It seems both the governor and the Legislature are okay with holding New Yorkers hostage to political priorities and backroom negotiations, rather than delivering a budget rooted in sound fiscal policy.”
