Early this morning New York state legislators approved Gov. Andrew Cuomo's $132.5 billion spending plan marking the state's first on time budget in five years. Meanwhile news on the California state budget front remains grim. Governor Jerry Brown walked away from the negotiating table on Tuesday, citing an inability to come to an agreement with Republican lawmakers on the details of exactly how to close California’s $26-billion deficit gap. As Gov. Cuomo expressed gratitude for what he is calling the state legislators’ "demonstration of competence,” Republican party leaders in California are touting Cuomo's success as an example of how to get things done. What is the takeaway for Sacramento? How can Gov. Brown apply Gov Cuomo's tactics to achieving consensus? Or is it comparing (big) apples and oranges?
Guests:
Thomas Kaplan, New York Times Reporter, Albany Bureau
Senator John DeFrancisco, R-NY’s District 50, which includes the city of Syracuse and its suburbs; Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee
Senator Michael Gianaris, D-NY’s District 12, which includes Western Queens
Jessica Levinson, Attorney and Director of Political Reform at the Center for Governmental Studies; and Adjunct Professor at Loyola Law School, teaching Campaign Finance