Albany’s Dysfunction Exposed by Democrat’s Last-Minute Maneuvering

New York’s state budget, totaling $237 billion, was passed three weeks late. Lawmakers increased the spending by $4 billion above the proposed $233 billion by Governor Hochul in January, adding various non-budgetary items as well. However, a critical proposal from Hochul concerning small businesses was abandoned at the last minute, shedding light on the dysfunction in Albany.

In 1890, a law was put in place requiring certain companies to pay manual laborers weekly to protect them from potential non-payment of wages. Recently, businesses that were previously exempt from this law found themselves subject to it due to a court ruling in 2019.

Employers faced hefty fines for not following the law, with workers potentially receiving additional pay for late wages. The broad interpretation of who qualifies as a physical laborer led to a wave of lawsuits, impacting a range of businesses across different industries.

Hochul attempted to clarify and amend the law through a budget proposal, but Senator Jessica Ramos ultimately blocked the compromise. The need for clear legislation on this matter is crucial to avoid unnecessary financial burdens on businesses and ensure fair treatment of workers.

It is essential to address this issue promptly and transparently to protect both businesses and workers alike.