Legislature Re-Evaluates Session Calendar and Budget Items in Face of Coronavirus
In light of the rapid spread of COVID-19 throughout New York State and mounting public health concerns, the Legislature has been continually evaluating its plans for legislative and budget work for the coming weeks. Although plans are still fluid, it is clear that the Legislature is working to take appropriate precautionary measures.
The Legislature was initially scheduled to be in session Monday through Wednesday this week. Instead, Senate and Assembly leadership cancelled session for Monday and Tuesday in an effort to limit the number of people at the Capitol. As of this afternoon, both houses plan to be back in session on Wednesday at 12 p.m. to take up a paid sick leave program bill, which has been negotiated between the Legislature and Governor. The three-way agreement, finalized earlier today, provides at least 14 days of paid leave for everyone that is “subject to a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation issued by the state of New York, the department of health, local board of health or any governmental entity duly authorized to issue such order due to COVID-19.”
The bill also establishes some long-term requirements and changes to labor law. Once the State finds its way out of this pandemic, larger companies with 100 employees or more will be required to pay their employees for seven paid sick days, and smaller companies with fewer than 100 employees will be required to pay for five.
As far as the State budget is concerned, there are still many unknowns. In January, the State was facing a $6 billion budget deficit. Today, the financial forecast for the State appears to be even more challenging. State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli issued a letter to the Governor this morning with a renewed revenue analysis considering the potential economic impact of COVID-19. After this more recent analysis, the Comptroller has determined that tax revenues for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2020-21 will be $4-7 billion below the Executive Budget forecast.
Both the Legislature and Governor seem to be committed to passing a final SFY 2020-21 budget before the April 1st deadline. The outstanding question seems to be whether it will be a “bare-bones” budget or still attempt to deal with big policy items such as recreational marijuana. With two Assemblymembers testing positive for coronavirus, many others resolved to self-quarantine, and two of three session days cancelled this week, a robust three-way budget agreement may be difficult to achieve before the end of March.
Contact: Sarah Daly, sdaly@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8845