N.Y. State Budget Agreement Includes Education, Ethics Reforms; Eliminates Minimum Wage Hike
ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The New York state budget agreement struck Monday did not include a minimum wage hike or property tax relief, but it did include a new tax cut for luxury yachts.
Details of the overall $142 billion deal struck by lawmakers and Gov. Andrew Cuomo emerged Monday.
Cuomo and top lawmakers hailed the agreement when it was announced late Sunday. It includes $1.4 billion in new education funds, along with plans to revise teacher evaluations.
The budget also includes ethics reforms, including a rule that lawmakers will have to disclose more about their outside income, and requirements that attorneys in the Legislature identify their clients.
Proposals to boost the minimum wage and ease property taxes were left out. The budget also left out the DREAM Act, which would extend aid to students in the country illegally, the authorization of more charter schools, and Mayor Bill de Blasio's push to renew mayoral control of city schools.
Also omitted was Cuomo's proposal to expand a new campus sexual assault policy -- and a `yes means yes' sexual consent definition -- to private colleges and universities.
One provision in the budget would cap the sales tax on boats costing more than $230,000.
Republican Senate Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) said the tax cut will create jobs.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said he was pleased with the $300 million for pre-kindergarten, as well as funding for public housing, included in the state budget. He also said it was not all he wanted, but he was happy, 1010 WINS reported.
Votes on the budget are expected Monday and Tuesday.
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