NY state budget extended for third time. How much has it cost?

New York lawmakers are still discussing key state budget issues, forcing both the Assembly and Senate to pass their third extension of the month on Monday, April 13.

This time, it's only for a few days though as they'll meet again later this week. The budget was due on April 1 and has been late all five years that Gov. Kathy Hochul's been at the helm.

Frustrations are continuing to rise on both sides of the aisle as Hochul's focus on policy issues is keeping fiscal budget discussions on the back burner. Sen. Michael Gianaris, a New York City Democrat, not-so-subtly alluded to that on the Senate floor on Monday.

"They tend to be bills that don't have direct correlation to the budget in terms of dollars and cents, which is frustrating for many of us," Gianaris said in response to Sen. Thomas O'Mara's question of what's holding the budget up.

"And the fact that it takes three parties to agree and the person who has proposed the budget seems less than willing to appreciate that," Gianaris added.

This third budget extender comes at a cost of $3.4 billion, Gianaris said, bringing the total of all three to $7.4 billion; around $4.5 billion of that has gone toward Medicaid. O'Mara, a Southern Tier Republican, called the ongoing budget delay "not good government."

"It's Groundhog Day all over again, except now we get to do it twice this week and really no progress being seen," O'Mara said.

Here's the latest.

What is holding up NY state budget talks?

Legislators continue to discuss adjustments to the state's climate protection law and car insurance rate reforms, among other policy issues, according to discussions on both the Senate and Assembly floor on Monday.

Hochul announced a proposal to amend the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, but specifics haven't been revealed beyond pushing the issuance of regulations to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions out to the end of 2030 and changing what emission limits the regulations are tied to.

As for car insurance reforms, trial lawyers and a handful of state lawmakers are unhappy with parts of Hochul's proposal, specifically changing the "serious injury" definition and capping non-economic damages for certain accident victims.

Assemblymember Phil Palmesano , R-Corning, asked Assemblymember J. Gary Pretlow, a Westchester County Democrat, on Monday, in baseball terms, what inning discussions are in. Pretlow's answer was "not so close" if they're talking about a nine-inning game.

"Jokingly, I said what inning are we in, sounds like we're in the middle," Palmesano said. "At what point are we in extra innings? I mean, we're already late."

Emily Barnes covers state government for the USA TODAY Network-New York with a focus on how policy and laws impact New Yorkers' taxes, communities and jobs. Follow her on Instagram or X @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at [email protected].