By Mark Scott
Albany, NY – There's talk in Albany that the State Senate will reconvene this week to complete action on the late state budget. The Albany Times Union cited an unnamed senator on Friday who said members of his house have been told they could be called back into session this Wednesday.
Senators left Albany prior to the July 4th holiday without approving a revenue bill that would complete the drawn-out budget process. That bill would raise revenues by taxing clothing purchases under $110 and reducing deductions on charitable donations for high-income earners. While the Assembly approved the revenue bill, the Senate did not because there were not the necessary 32 votes to do so.
Buffalo Democrat William Stachowski is on record as saying he won't vote for the revenue bill unless action is taken on a separate bill that would give the State University of New York more autonomy. The University at Buffalo is pushing hard for the legislation so that it can move forward with UB 2020. Stachowski said late last week he will not relent on his demand.