New York lawmakers are back in Albany preparing to vote on the state's fiscal plan due April 1. They're getting briefed Sunday evening on the nearly $140 billion budget deal and are expected to vote today, wrapping up by midnight get the budget settled on time.
The $340 million for full day pre-kindergarten and other high-profile issues have gotten a lot of attention. But the budget also includes changes to protect consumers from out-of network surprise medical bills and $13 million to support salary increases for the lowest paid direct care workers.
A plan to test public-financing of campaigns with this year's race for comptroller is drawing criticism from good-government groups who say it doesn't go far enough.
Manufacturers, charter school operators and property tax payers are considered winners in the deal.
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