ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York lawmakers inched closer to a deal on a new state budget Thursday that includes a tax on opioid manufacturers, surcharges on taxi and Uber rides in Manhattan and a new, uniform sexual harassment policy for government workers.
Other measures to authorize early voting, bail out a struggling upstate casino and extend the statute of limitations on child molestation were falling away as Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and top legislators worked to secure an agreement before a new state fiscal year dawns on Sunday.
The details could still change, as no final budget deal was in place late Thursday night. Legislators said they still hoped to pass a complete spending plan Friday, in time for lawmakers and staff to be home for the Jewish Passover, which begins Friday at sunset, or Christian Easter on Sunday.
If no agreement emerges Friday, the Legislature could pass short-term extensions of the current budget to buy time until lawmakers return to Albany. They’re currently scheduled to go on break for two weeks beginning Monday.
“We’re getting close,” said the Senate’s Deputy Majority Leader, Republican John DeFrancisco of Syracuse.
Here’s a look at several high-profile initiatives that could be included in the final budget:
NYC TOLLS: A proposal to impose tolls of $11 or more on motorists driving into the heart of Manhattan appears to be failing, though a more modest plan for smaller surcharges on taxis and Uber rides is gaining momentum. Under the proposal, surcharges of $2.50 would be levied on cab rides south of 96th Street. Trips with Uber, Lyft or other ride-hailing services in the same zone would be assessed a $2.75 surcharge. Supporters see the surcharges as just the first phase of a plan to roll out new congestion tolls on private vehicles in future years.
OPIOID TAX: Cuomo’s call for a 2-cent-per-milligram tax on opioid manufacturers has raised concerns with Republicans, who say they worry the tax will be passed on to consumers, or that it won’t be dedicated to efforts to combat addiction as Cuomo has said. Last minute negotiations were focused on possible changes that could win GOP support.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT: The Senate, Assembly and Cuomo have all advanced plans to create a uniform sexual harassment policy for state workers and officials. The legislation emerged following national attention on sexual misconduct in the workplace, and some form of new policy is expected to pass.
TAX CHANGES: Lawmakers say the budget is likely to include some version of Cuomo’s ideas for easing the burden of the new federal tax code, which raises tax liabilities for many New Yorkers by capping a deduction for state and local taxes. Cuomo wants to offer tax credits to individuals who make charitable contributions to public education or health care programs. He’s also proposed an optional pilot program allowing companies to pay a payroll tax in lieu of their employees’ income taxes. Salaries would be adjusted accordingly.
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