As negotiations continue over New York’s state budget, Assemblyman John Lemondes says there are several parts of the proposal he believes are positive for the state.
During a recent interview on FLX Morning, Lemondes said that while there are ongoing debates about spending and policy, the budget still includes programs he supports.
“I don’t want to cast a shadow of there’s nothing good in New York. That’s not true, that we do a lot of things well,” Lemondes said.
Lemondes pointed to continued funding tied to agriculture and research at Cornell University, which he said plays an important role in supporting the state’s food system. He also highlighted support for New York’s parks and recreation system, saying it contributes to tourism and economic development.
“Our park system for recreation is key for economic development, bringing not just for us native New Yorkers, but bringing other people in from across the country and across the world to look at the at our natural wonders here,” Lemondes said.
It remains unclear whether lawmakers will approve the budget on time. New York’s state budget is due by April 1, but negotiations between the governor and the Legislature often continue past the deadline as leaders work to reconcile competing spending proposals.
Lemondes added that an on-time budget is important for schools, agencies and other institutions that rely on state funding to plan their finances.
“We can’t hold our schools and every other institution, agency and authority hostage not knowing what their budgets are,” Lemondes said. “I just think it’s the wrong thing to do.”
