The terminal phase of our state's absolutely demented budget process is normally marked by the governor proudly declaring during a victory-lap press conference that after a lot of negotiations, discussions, and some tough decisions, there is an "agreement" with the legislature on the budget.
That's what Governor Kathy Hochul at least attempted to do this morning in Albany, when she presented the supposed "agreement" with state legislators: A pied-à-terre tax for second homes in New York City, a slew of laws meant to curb the power of federal immigration enforcement, and an attempt to lower car insurance rates by stripping some rights from crash victims all made the cut.