Experts React to Impacts of Budget Policy Items

Introduction to Budget Policy Items

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Lawmakers in Albany have agreed on a framework for the 2026 state budget that has been delayed by over a month. The budget bills will be printed and voted on, which will mark the end of the budget process.

Budget Delay and Its Implications

This week on Empire State Weekly, one of the items included in the budget that caused debate and delay were the proposed changes to discovery law. Under the new measure, prosecutors are required to prove they exercised due diligence in submitting all evidence before a trial can take place. Bob Babcock, a lawyer with Tully Rinckey, explained the impact he believes the change will have.

Impact on Legal Proceedings

"My hope is that it’s going to create a more open dialogue between defense attorneys and prosecutors about discovery," said Babcock.

Educational Sector Impacts

Also this week, David Little, the Executive Director for the Rural Schools Association, explained how the "bell to bell" cell phone ban included in the budget framework will impact the efforts districts have already made to limit cellphone use in schools.

Cell Phone Ban in Schools

"They’ve come up with their own way of handling this issue and many of them have found that that’s been successful, so now to change that based on no interaction with their school community, that’s gonna be a little problematic," said Little.

Watching Empire State Weekly

To see these interviews and more, here is a list of how you can watch Empire State Weekly in your area of New York:

Latest News and Updates

Read the latest from NEWS10:

• Experts react to impacts of budget policy items
• Trump budget proposal calls for deep cuts to NIH
• Strong jobs report surprises economists
• Troy man pleads guilty to firearm charge
• Family members of assaulted restaurant employee appear in court

NEWS10 is the Capital Region’s local news leader!

Conclusion

The impacts of the budget policy items are multifaceted, affecting legal proceedings and the educational sector among others. Experts like Bob Babcock and David Little have shared their insights on these changes, providing a deeper understanding of what these policy items entail and how they will influence various aspects of society.

FAQs

• Q: What are the proposed changes to the discovery law?
  A: The proposed changes require prosecutors to prove they exercised due diligence in submitting all evidence before a trial can take place.
• Q: How will the "bell to bell" cell phone ban affect schools?
  A: The ban may disrupt the methods schools have already implemented to limit cellphone use, as it does not account for the unique approaches each school district has developed.
• Q: Where can I watch Empire State Weekly?
  A: You can find information on how to watch Empire State Weekly in your area of New York by checking the local listings provided.
• Q: What other news does NEWS10 cover?
  A: NEWS10 covers a wide range of news, including local news, jobs reports, legal cases, and more, as seen in their latest updates.