ALBANY – A deal to expand rent regulations appeared imminent this afternoon as legislative leaders emerged from Gov. Cuomo’s office to announce a “tentative framework agreement” on several issues.
The legislative logjam suddenly broke after Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Nassau) held a series of closed-door powwows with the Democratic executive, the last joined by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan).
Skelos and Silver came out separately and disclosed the “framework,” but both leaders refused to discuss details until conferring with their fellow lawmakers.
The leaders did say the deal would include an extension on expired rent regulations on more than one million Big Apple apartments, a cap on local property taxes, mandate relief for local governments and a tuition hike plan for state universities.
The agreement did not include plans for a much-anticipated Senate vote on gay marriage, but it’s widely believed Skelos will act on the legislation after everything else is completed.
“We’re working on the details,” Skelos said. “But I am confident that between the governor – and he has shown tremendous leadership once again – and the speaker – showing flexibility – that we will have a session completion by tomorrow.”
Silver was far less pessimistic than when he complained about “frustration” after a similar meeting yesterday, but still signaled a cautious note.
“All we have now is a framework by which to conclude,” Silver said. “There are still details that have to be worked out.”
The speaker said lawmakers could begin voting as soon as tonight. Lawmakers went into overtime today after failing to reach a deal by the scheduled end of session yesterday.
Cuomo spokesman Josh Vlasto confirmed the trio had reached a “tentative framework agreement,” but refused further comment until after the legislative leaders conferred with their conference.