The New York State Assembly on Thursday passed Assembly No. 8115, an emergency appropriations bill that adds $730.6 million in stopgap funding and carries state operations and selected programs through May 7. The chamber recorded a voice vote tally of 138 in favor and 0 opposed.

The bill, described on the floor as "an act making appropriations for the support of government," was presented as a short-term funding measure to cover administration and emergency payrolls and to sustain programs including Medicaid, WIC, unemployment insurance, services administered through OPWDD (Office for People With Developmental Disabilities) and Veterans Homeless Housing. "This bill is an additional $730.6 million. The total appropriation up to this point is $12.6 billion," said Mr. Pratlow, an assembly member who answered members' procedural and financial questions on the measure.

Members pressed staff for overall context about the budget process while debating the extender. The floor exchange recorded that, taken together with prior emergency extenders, the Assembly has appropriated about $15.4 billion through 10 extenders so far. Members also referenced a reported top-line budget figure of roughly $254 billion; when asked whether that figure was agreed to, Mr. Pratlow responded, "It's pretty close." He told the chamber the next state payroll that could be affected is Tuesday, May 13.

The bill was certified for an immediate vote after the clerk read its title and the Governor's message was placed on the desk. The Assembly announced the results on the floor: 138 ayes, 0 nays. The last section of the bill was read on the floor stating the measure takes effect immediately.

Floor remarks emphasized the bill's purpose as a short-term measure to meet payroll and program obligations while negotiators finish broader budget work. Several members urged a timely completion of the overall budget and a more transparent financial plan for the out years; speakers repeatedly warned about the need to consider sustainability beyond the immediate extender.

Following passage, the Assembly carried on with routine business and announced scheduling: the body stood adjourned until Friday, May 2 (a legislative day) and is scheduled to reconvene Monday, May 5, at the call of the Speaker.