ALBANY, N.Y. -- Governor Andrew Cuomo seemed surprised to see any reporters when he emerged from his office without warning around 8 p.m. Monday. With lawmakers poised to return work on Tuesday, the governor says he is trying to get the Assembly to support a proposed tax credit that would provide funds for students to attend private and parochial schools.
“Private schools, parochial schools are closing all around the state which creates a problem not only for the parochial schools but also for the public schools because you then have a significant number of students who would attend the public system,” said Cuomo, D-New York.
Read more on the State of Politics Blog.
Cuomo is also trying to get the state Senate to accept stronger rent regulations for tenants in nearly one million rent regulated apartments, mostly in New York City.
"I support both. I support the charter schools, aid to parochial schools. As well as aid to public schools and I support extending the rent reforms. So I support both, but now we need to get both houses there," said Cuomo.
The legislative session was supposed to end last week, but got extended when leaders could not agree on key issues. Sources say the Assembly has focused exclusively on rent, and all but refused to negotiate on anything else.
"It's non-realistic. That's one house saying I want what I want and I don't care what you want. That seldom works in life let alone on legislation," Cuomo said.
We asked Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan if he too has been frustrated by the Assembly.
"You know what? This is about getting to a result. I can only characterize the speaker as being a gentleman as is his staff, so we are at a point where diplomacy and camaraderie go a long way toward a resolution."
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie says all issues remain on the table.
"All of our issues are being discussed. There is no agreement so former to tell you something now, it could change," said Heastie, D.
On Monday night, we heard for the first time that leaders were close to a framework agreement. That's the first time we have heard that since these negotiations began.