New York State Budget Talks Advance With Higher Spending Total

State lawmakers released the first text of the months-delayed spending package on Wednesday. The documents show a two-year extension of mayoral control over New York City schools and a 2% increase in state aid for districts statewide. The overall price tag now stands at $268.5 billion, according to the governor's office. This figure exceeds the $268 billion amount referenced two weeks earlier.

Speaker Carl Heastie told reporters he did not know the current topline spending figure. The governor's office later provided the updated $268.5 billion total. The package includes changes to public employee pension benefits. These changes would lower retirement ages to as low as 58 and reduce contribution rates, potentially adding more than $500 million in costs for municipalities and other public employers.

The mayor will also gain authority to disband charter review commissions created by previous mayors. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said the provision prevents an outgoing mayor from binding a successor to unwanted measures. Lawmakers are scheduled to vote Thursday on a bill that would add new sanctuary protections for immigrants.

The remaining seven budget bills are expected to be considered next week.