"I am enormously frustrated that after weeks of long discussions and intense negotiations we still have not come together to produce a state budget for the 2017-18 year. This is the first time we have had a late budget since I was first elected in March 2012.

“Today we passed a budget extender to allow for the continuation of state government operations as budget negotiations continue (A.7067/A.7068). This extender is not ideal by any means, but it is the responsible move to avoid a government shutdown and ensure state employees get paid. I am especially distressed for our school districts that do the essential work of educating our cherished children. We are saddling them with the challenging task of creating and passing their own budgets with limited information about school funding.

"We must stay on task and pass a comprehensive state budget as soon as possible. I will continue to fight to ensure it includes increased funding for local schools, supports our environment and farmers — including our carbon farming study, provides a living wage for direct care workers and invests in Independent Living Centers so New Yorkers with disabilities can lead full, independent lives."