Senate Majority Coalition Co-Leaders Dean G. Skelos and Jeff Klein and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver today announced an agreement on a joint legislative budget schedule that sets deadlines that will lead to the adoption of a fourth consecutive early state budget.

"This schedule will result in passage of an early state budget for the fourth consecutive year. We will work through the process of reviewing the Governor's proposal, holding public hearings, listening to our constituents, and conducting conference committee negotiations, and will adopt a fiscally responsible budget that provides tax relief for the middle-class, grows our economy and creates opportunity for all New Yorkers," Senate Majority Coalition Co-Leader Dean Skelos said.

"As the Legislature continues to publicly examine the governor's proposed budget through the joint legislative budget hearings, we announce the remaining steps of the budget process that both houses will take in order to reach an on-time budget," said Speaker Silver. "Through this schedule, we will work collectively to forge a budget that meets the state's financial obligations and addresses the many divergent needs of the people in our state."

"This schedule provides legislators and the public with an opportunity to participate in budget-making decisions that will lead to the adoption of a sound and prudent state financial plan before the April 1 deadline," said Assembly Ways and Means Committee Chair Herman D. Farrell, Jr.

"For the fourth year in a row, this joint schedule demonstrates the legislature's commitment to delivering another fiscally responsible and on-time state budget. By working with Governor Cuomo, the Senate and Assembly are on track to complete a comprehensive budget that protects taxpayers and makes New York more affordable for everyone," Senate Majority Coalition Co-Leader Senator Jeff Klein said.

"The legislative budget schedule sets the dates for each step of an open and transparent process, which will be followed by the legislature to deliver a responsible and early budget again this year," State Senator John A. DeFrancisco, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said.

The agreed-to legislative budget schedule for 2014 is as follows: