ALBANY, N.Y. (WKBW) — Governor Hochul announced Thursday an agreement has been reached regarding the state's 2024 budget.
As of Friday afternoon, it still has yet to be approved by state lawmakers.
Hochul announced on Thursday that the recent agreement removes what is known as the least restrictive means standard, which has put judges in a position to set bail with less restrictions.
Judges have expressed that bail reform has tied their hands in cases, but this agreement would give them more discretion.
"It gives more power to judges," said retired Supreme Court Justice Penny Wolfgang.
"People were being released that should not be released into the community because it was making a revolving door system."
Wolfgang said recidivism, which is when a convicted individual breaks the law again, is one of the most serious issues in the justice system.
Wolfgang said this agreement would be the right step to holding more people accountable.
"If we can get rid of [least restrictive means standard] that’s going to be very helpful to keep serious criminals off streets," explained Erie County District Attorney John Flynn.
"This doesn’t apply to people who have misdemeanors and low levels offenses, they're still not going to be put in jail. It only applies to people who are charged with serious felony offenses."
On Thursday, Hochul also announced $40 million dollars in the tentative budget to help public defenders retain staff, along with pay increases to assigned attorneys.
The budget includes a number of new highlights including changes to bail reform, a conflicting issue among New Yorkers over the past few years:
- $1 billion investment into mental health
- $1 billion investment into health care capital funding, expanded Medicaid coverage for over 7 million low-income New Yorkers
- Over $100 million investment into protecting reproductive health care
- Expands access to abortion care for SUNY and CUNY students.
- Provides access to over-the-counter contraception at pharmacies.
You can read more about the 2024 state budget and its highlights here.
