New York state budget negotiations stretched into the weekend as legislators and Gov. Andrew Cuomo worked to resolve differences over school funding, teacher evaluations and a minimum wage hike before a new fiscal year begins Wednesday.
Cuomo told reporters Saturday that he's optimistic lawmakers will agree to his top priorities: greater disclosure of lawmakers' outside income and education reforms including revised teacher evaluations that put greater emphasis on student test performance.
Cuomo has proposed $1.1 billion in additional school funding if lawmakers approve his education reforms. Lawmakers want a bigger increase and say a commission or the state Board of Regents should recommend evaluation changes.
Meanwhile, a minimum wage increase sought by Assembly Democrats appears blocked by Senate Republicans.
Lawmakers hope to vote on the budget Monday or Tuesday.
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