Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (second from left) and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (first from left) and Ways and Means Committee Chair Herman D. Farrell Jr. today convened the first meeting of the 2013-2014 General Budget Conference Committee in Albany to begin deliberations of the joint legislative budget subcommittees.

In his opening remarks, Silver said the Assembly looks forward to working with the Senate toward a timely budget agreement that meets the needs of New Yorkers during these lean economic times.

Silver pointed out that the Assembly's budget proposal is committed to rebuilding the middle-class: beginning with middle-class tax cuts, an increased investment in community colleges, more funding for pre-K programs and additional aid for the state's schools. Silver also noted that last month the Assembly approved a bill to increase the minimum wage to $9.00 an hour.