Bail reform remains sticking point for state budget as second deadline approaches

Republicans feel the plan does not go far enough. Most Democrats reject the dangerousness provision of the proposal.

News 12 Staff

Apr 3, 2022, 8:40 PM

Updated 917 days ago

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Governor Kathy Hochul’s $216 billion budget remains in limbo as Monday’s 4 p.m. deadline approaches. 
State lawmakers missed the April 1 deadline to reach an agreement on the new budget. They extended the deadline to Monday.
Lawmakers are having a difficult time with Gov. Hochul’s plan to amend the state’s bail reform laws. According to the governor’s plan, more crimes would be eligible for bail and judges would be allowed to consider the danger a defendant poses in deciding bail. 
Republicans feel the plan does not go far enough. Most Democrats reject the dangerousness provision of the proposal. 
Seaford resident Willy Benson says people should not be allowed out on the street hours after committing a crime. 
“I don’t that everybody should committing crimes on police officers and then eight hours later out on the street,” says Benson. 
Lisa Tyson, with the Progressive Coalition, says they should leave the bail reform as it is because it is working. 
“Studies show its been very successful and the budget should go through at this point with no changes whatsoever,” says Tyson. 
If a budget does not get approved by Monday’s 4 p.m. deadline, more than 60,000 state workers could see their paychecks disrupted.