Lawmakers to work on budget over weekend, housing negotiations continue

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)--- The state budget is now due April 8th, after two budget extenders pushed back the deadline. The governor, as well as assemblymembers, plan on working over the weekend.

"We will have, as I understand it, a brief conference and then we will do another extender," explained Assemblymember Pat Fahy. "Many members have lots of events in their districts for the eclipse on Monday. So on Monday, we may conference remotely, but there will be no session. It will be a legislative day."

Governor Kathy Hochul said a housing deal is a top priority in the state budget.

Back in January, she proposed creating up to 15,000 units of housing on state land. On Thursday, she gave a general update on housing negotations.

"I want to get labor unions a shot at some of these jobs," said Hochul during a press conference at the New York State Capitol. "They are good paying jobs for hard working men and women in labor. So that’s a priority. Also, I want to make sure people are not abusing our tenants— focus on anti-gouging."

The Senate Majority Leader and the Assembly Speaker have also been vocal about wanting to include tenant protections in the budget. Another issue still being negotiated is short term-rentals.

Assemblymember Pat Fahy said she wants a level playing field between hotels, which are required to pay sales and occupancy tax, and short-term rentals.

"We believe everyone in a short term rental or a Vrbo should also be paying those same sales taxes and the same occupancy tax so we can use those for tourism efforts," said the Assemblymember.

Fahy also wants a registry of short term rentals to be created and included in the final housing deal. The New York State Senate does as well.

Hochul has proposed subjecting vacation rentals to state and local sales tax.