NYS Senate passes another budget extender

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)— The New York State Senate passed another budget extender on Thursday with the Assembly to follow suit on Friday.

“Today we passed another short budget extender, until next Monday,” explained Senator Shelley Mayer. “What it really means is that people who work for the state are going to get paid and state operations continue.”

While issues such as housing are still being negotiated, the influx of migrants into New York City and other parts of the state is a tall order when it comes to spending.

The current number being proposed to help the city tackle migration is $2.4 billion dollars. The governor and legislature seem to be in agreement on that number, but a budget deal has not been finalized.

The state has already allocated $4.2 billion dollars. The ballooning costs from the migrant crisis has been a constant discussion in New York City.

To save money, the city will not be renewing its full contract with DocGo, the company hired by New York City to transport and care for asylum seekers.

While the company’s New York City migrant services will end in May, it will continue to house asylum seekers in Upstate New York hotels until the end of 2024.

DocGo stated, “This extension is designed to ensure sufficient time to transition and/or close emergency sites as needed and when directed by the City.”

Mayor Adams’ chief of staff explained the reason behind the temporary extension in a statement, saying it’s ”…to ensure we are not disrupting children in school and are not leaving our upstate partners without proper notice.”

As for a new migrant services provider in New York City, a competitive request for proposal is being issued. Manhattan Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal shared his thoughts.

“The groups that are really doing the work on the ground in my district on the west side in Manhattan are the NGO’s— the non-profit organizations,” said Holyman-Sigal. “I would like to see city and state money flow to them to do this very vital work.”