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Bob Joseph/WNBF News [file][/caption]New York State government will not shut down after lawmakers approved a two-month stopgap spending plan that was needed when the April 1 budget deadline was missed.

State Senator Fred Akshar says he voted for the extender but blamed New York City Democrats for an unwillingness to compromise and work for the good of the residents of the State of New York.

In a statement issued by his office, Akshar says lawmakers should be talking about creating a better business climate, the heroin and opioid epidemic and providing essential human services to vulnerable populations.

The Republican says the single divisive issue that has stalled the budget is the measure to increase the age of criminal responsibility to 18, ending the state’s prosecution of 16 and 17 year old offenders as adults.

Lawmakers now have until May 31 to get a new state budget in place.

 

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