State budget deal reached; includes minimum wage increase, rebate checks for families

Albany (WSYR-TV) – Governor Cuomo and state legislative leaders announced Wednesday night that they have reached an agreement on a state budget.

The spending plan totals $143 billion.

The proposed budget includes raising the minimum wage from $7.25 to $9 an hour over three years.

Also included are $350 rebate checks for families with at least one child and income of $40,000 to $300,000.

Cuomo said voting on the budget could begin as early as this weekend.

If passed by April 1, it would be the third state budget in a row to be passed on time.