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Overcast A tale from East Meadow to Albany
Reporter follows an assemblyman at the capitol as budget deadline nears
Eight days remained until the April 1 budget deadline as state lawmakers pulled into their parking spaces on Monday in Albany.
Except for hustling staffers and a smattering of lobbyists, the atmosphere at the Capitol around noontime was unusually quiet for a weekday in March. Monday marked the beginning of a full five-day week of sessions, presumably focused on reaching a budget agreement in time.
Assemblyman Thomas McKevitt is fully aware of the situation. The state is a fiscal mess and faces a massive budget deficit. Its leader, Gov. David Paterson, is finishing out a term marred by turmoil and controversy. The often-gridlocked state Senate’s two-seat Democratic majority could burst at any moment.
As for the Assembly? Well, McKevitt, a Republican who represents East Meadow and parts of North Bellmore and North Merrick, is a member of a severely outnumbered minority — Democrats 106, Republicans 42.
