The Brian Lehrer Show What's the Holdup in the NYS Budget?
Apr 18, 2025
Jon Campbell, an Albany reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, dives into the delay of New York's state budget and the friction between the governor and legislative leaders. He explores the contentious debate over changes to criminal discovery laws and their implications for public safety versus defendants' rights. The discussion also highlights various political maneuvers and the impact of current events on upcoming elections, including the ongoing issues surrounding mask mandates and mental health commitments. It's a deep dive into the complexities of state politics!
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Discovery Law Debate in NYS
- Discovery laws require prosecutors to timely share evidence with defense to prevent unfair last-minute disclosures.
- Changes in 2019 tightened these deadlines but led to increased case dismissals, causing debate on balance between fairness and prosecutorial burden.
Balancing Evidence and Fair Trials
- Legal aid advocates oppose changing discovery reforms, arguing prosecutors should improve processes instead.
- Proposed compromise would allow judges to assess if untimely evidence impacts the defendant to avoid dismissals on technicalities.
Public Safety Framing in Budget Talks
- Governor Hochul frames discovery law issues as public safety concerns, arguing technical dismissals let dangerous people free.
- This stance signals her political positioning on public safety ahead of her 2026 re-election campaign.