With the April 1 budget deadline just around the corner, the governor took to her bully pulpit in an attempt to cajole reluctant lawmakers to rejigger the bail laws again. She wants them to approve eliminating the portion of the law that requires judges to choose the"least restrictive" option in setting bail. She called it a"very simple change" that would affect repeat offenders.
"Removing the 'least restrictive' standards for the serious crimes and repeat offenses that the legislature has already deemed eligible for bail. That's the only category we're talking about," Hochul said. The bail fight pits the more moderate governor against progressives in the legislature who have been reluctant to chip away at the bail laws.
It's unclear whether the Bloomberg money - paying for a blitz of TV ads and a social media campaign - will help or hurt, especially in the senate, where Democrats prevail and memories are long. When he was mayor, Bloomberg donated heavily to Republicans in an attempt to keep them in power. Hochul says if it is late it will be because there are"continuing discussions" about the issues she feels are important.