NY: Compromise may give Cuomo more power

Newsday: ALBANY — One of the most far-reaching elements of the late state budget passed Sunday will give Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo unprecedented power to cut the spending plan if the State Legislature fails to agree on how to address potential federal aid cuts.

Cuomo’s “federal funding response plan” replaces the constitution’s practice of calling back the Legislature in a special, public session to arrive at a consensus on what to cut and how much, giving the governor leverage in the process by providing him the final word if the Legislature fails to agree to a plan. Under the law, Cuomo’s budget director will specify the amount of federal cuts that have to be addressed.

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