Designated a “multiple appropriation supplemental budget bill,” the measure is said by Assembly insiders to be a highly unusual move for the legislature. The New York constitution allows very little time after a legislative session begins for lawmakers to make adjustments to the governor’s spending plan. They have until January 18, when Pataki will present his executive budget.
This is the second time Democrats attempted to override Pataki’s cuts. Led by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) in September 2004, they fell three votes short of the 100 needed for an override after the governor’s aides convinced Assembly Republicans to oppose it. Silver said the governor’s office granted the opposing Republicans extra funding for libraries in their districts.
Posted January 14, 2005.