ALBANY – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced yesterday, April 3, an extended period of deliberation regarding the 2017 budget in the wake of both houses’ inability to come to a consensus by Saturday, April 1’s deadline, the first day of the 2017-18 fiscal year.

According to Cuomo, the extender of the current one-year budget serves to keep the government fully functioning through May 31.

One particular issue at hand responsible for bringing budget talks to a stalemate – according to separate releases from Cuomo, Senator Fred Akshar, and Assemblyman Clifford Crouch – is the Raise the Age policy, which would amend New York State’s current policy to treat 16- and 17-year-olds as adults for purposes of criminal responsibility. NYS is currently one of two states in the nation who currently try 16- and 17-year-old offenders as adults.

“The single, divisive issue that has stalled the budget process is Raising the Age of criminal responsibility,” said NYS Senator Fred Akshar of the 52nd District, comprising all of Broome and Tioga counties, and portions of Chenango and Delaware counties.

“I agree that 16- and 17-year-olds should not be housed with adults in correctional facilities. I agree that 16- and 17-year-olds should receive necessary services to help ensure they become successful, responsible and law abiding members of our communities. And I agree that changes to our current system regarding the appropriate court setting for 16- and 17-year-olds should be addressed,” said Akshar. “Shame on the New York City Democrats who are willing to compromise public safety by not holding violent 16- and 17-year-olds accountable for rape and murder. These are violent individuals who prey upon our communities and didn’t simply “make a mistake.”