Gov. Hochul’s announcement late Thursday of a “conceptual agreement” nearly a month late on the state budget didn’t explicitly say lawmakers would be passing the bills before read them, but it’s all too likely.
For years, they’ve rushed through budget (and other) bills without the constitutionally required “three days of aging,” as the governor issued a “message of necessity,” as allowed when passage is needed urgently.
Yet this key legislation got drafted by just a few people: the gov, Senate majority leader and Assembly speaker (and their staffs).
Without at least three days of aging, most lawmakers (let alone average New Yorkers!) can’t read it all, much less consider and debate it.
And the public’s entirely shut out.
Sorry: Voting in the dark isn’t democracy.
The budget this year will include taxing and spending of nearly a quarter trillion dollars. Not to mention policy shifts on criminal justice, charter schools and more.
And at this point, there’s no valid reason not to make it all available well before any voting.
Yes, local governments need to know what money Albany may be sending their way (or taking away) to plan their own budgets.
Yet the budget was a month late; another three days won’t make much difference.
Especially since they can start planning as soon as the bills are released.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie no doubt prefer to present a fait accompli to avoid pushback.
But New Yorkers deserve to know about bills that will greatly affect their lives — before they’re passed.
At the least, their elected representatives should have the time to look.
Make lawmakers do the work of making law. No messages of necessity this year.