Jimmy Vielkind of the Times Union writes about two bills introduced in the State Senate over the weekend that could bring the Senate back by Wednesday. The bills seem to be intended as “negotiating points”.

“It’s unclear when they’ll return to session, but Democrats who control the state Senate introduced two bills designed to be “negotiating points” as they work toward passing the last piece of the state budget.

Senators left the Capitol two weeks ago without passing the final revenue bill — which would reinstate the tax on clothing under $110 and reduce charitable deductions for high-income earners — that passed the Assembly. Several senators in the Democrats’ 32-30 majority have refused to publicly commit to voting for the revenue plan until a deal is worked out authorizing greater flexibility for SUNY and CUNY campuses to raise tuition and enter into public-private partnerships.

Another bill would create a contingency plan in case $1.06 billion in Medicaid assistance expected from the federal government does not materialize.”

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