State Rep. Keith P. Brown, District 12 | Official U.S. House headshot
State Rep. Keith P. Brown, District 12 | Official U.S. House headshot
Brown, a key figure in the state budget proceedings, has called for immediate action to pass the state budget without further delays. Expressing concern over the repeated extensions in budget proceedings, Brown emphasized the importance of finalizing the budget promptly to allow school districts and municipalities to plan effectively.
In a recent statement, Brown highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, “Just this past Thursday, April 4, 2024, a second emergency budget extender was passed, yet here we are back in session just three days later passing a third. New Yorkers will not tolerate a repeat of last year’s extreme delay in state budget proceedings—residents, municipalities and school districts were expecting the budget to pass a week ago, but already, the extenders are starting to stack up.”
Brown further stressed the need for immediate action, pointing out that school districts have already initiated their budget planning process. The delay in budget negotiations not only hampers the ability of school districts and municipalities to plan ahead but also creates uncertainty in financial matters.
“Our state needs to finalize and pass the budget now so school districts and municipalities can plan ahead. School districts have already begun the process of completing their budgets and we cannot continue to prolong state budget negotiations. No more excuses—it is time to pass the budget,” Brown reiterated.
As discussions on the state budget continue, Brown's call for swift action serves as a reminder of the importance of timely budget approval to ensure the smooth functioning of essential services and institutions in the state.