Former New York Governor George Pataki, a Republican who served three terms, recently expressed his support for current Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, as she holds off on approving the state budget. Pataki praised Hochul for her stance, urging fellow Democrats in the legislature to agree on measures that would help prosecutors keep criminals off the streets.
On a recent radio program, Pataki stated that while some criticize Hochul for delaying the budget, she is actually prioritizing the safety of New Yorkers. He emphasized that her push for changes to the pre-trial discovery law is crucial. This law, enacted in 2019 under former Governor Andrew Cuomo, requires prosecutors to provide evidence and information to defendants within specific deadlines. Pataki believes these rules have made it harder for prosecutors to secure convictions, leading to a rise in dismissed cases.
Hochul’s efforts to reform the discovery laws have garnered support from all five city district attorneys. They argue that the current requirements are too lenient, allowing dangerous offenders, including domestic abusers, to evade justice. Pataki noted that Hochul is fighting against the "ridiculous pro-criminal reforms" that were passed previously and is determined to make the law fairer to hold violent criminals accountable.
Pataki highlighted that Hochul is not backing down, insisting that she will not sign the budget unless her proposed changes are included. He praised her courage to stand firm against lawmakers who might prefer to maintain the status quo of increased spending and lenient laws.
As of now, the state budget was due on April 1, but Hochul is still in negotiations with key Democratic leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, both of whom supported the existing discovery law. Meanwhile, Republicans in the legislature are aligning with Hochul on her priorities, particularly regarding the discovery law and expanding the authority to compel severely mentally ill individuals into treatment.
In response to the budget stalemate, Hochul and the legislature have approved emergency measures to ensure that state workers continue to receive their pay and that essential services remain uninterrupted. As discussions continue, the focus remains on the balance between public safety and legislative priorities.