New York Passes $229B Budget with Bail Law Changes.

New York lawmakers have finalized a $229 billion state budget that boosts education aid to over $34 billion, raises the minimum wage to $17 by 2026, and bans natural gas hookups in new construction to address climate change. The budget does not raise personal income tax but increases the cigarette tax and mobility tax. The battle over bail has been a marquee issue in the budget debate, with Gov. Kathy Hochul winning changes to expand bail consideration for judges. The budget also adds more money to anti-gun violence programs and State Police to expand their ranks.