Rushing NY’s budget with ‘message of necessity’ only emboldens Hochul’s, Dems’ bloat

New York Post - May 5th, 2025
Open on New York Post

New York state legislators and citizens are calling for transparency in the budgeting process, criticizing Governor Kathy Hochul's use of a 'Message of Necessity' to rush through budget bill votes without adequate review. The budget, already a month late, is being pushed for quick passage, bypassing the state Constitution’s requirement of a three-day review period. This tactic prevents lawmakers and the public from examining the details of the budget, which includes significant spending and tax hikes.

The implications of this rushed process are significant, as it undermines democratic principles and potentially hides reckless spending and special-interest giveaways. Critics argue that excluding Republican legislators from negotiations and limiting debate could lead to financial mismanagement and budget shortfalls in the future. The call for transparency aligns with broader concerns about democratic processes and accountability in government, highlighting a need for reform in Albany's legislative procedures.

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RATING

5.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and engaging critique of the New York state budget process, focusing on issues of transparency and governance. While it effectively captures reader interest with its direct language and critical tone, the lack of balanced perspectives and corroborating evidence undermines its overall accuracy and reliability. The article raises important questions about fiscal responsibility and government accountability, but its potential impact is limited by the absence of diverse viewpoints and detailed sourcing. As a result, while it serves as a catalyst for discussion, it may not fully inform readers seeking a comprehensive understanding of the budget issues at hand.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The story makes several factual claims that require verification, such as the use of the "Message of Necessity" by Governor Hochul to expedite the budget process, the exclusion of Republican legislators from negotiations, and the characterization of the budget as "reckless and bloated." While the use of a "Message of Necessity" is a verifiable practice in New York, the claim about Republican exclusion lacks direct evidence in the text. Additionally, the description of the budget's content is subjective and not fully supported by specific data or examples. The article's accuracy is somewhat undermined by these unverified claims and subjective interpretations.

5
Balance

The article presents a predominantly critical perspective on Governor Hochul and the Democratic handling of the New York state budget. It lacks representation of alternative viewpoints, such as those from the governor's office or Democratic lawmakers, which could provide context or counterarguments to the criticisms raised. The absence of these perspectives results in an imbalanced presentation that leans heavily towards one side of the debate, potentially influencing reader perception without offering a comprehensive view of the issue.

7
Clarity

The language and tone of the article are clear and direct, effectively conveying the author's critical stance. The structure is logical, with a clear progression of arguments against the current budget process. However, the use of subjective language, such as "reckless" and "bloated," may affect the neutrality and objectivity of the presentation. Despite this, the article is generally easy to follow and understand, with a coherent narrative flow.

4
Source quality

The article cites Betsy McCaughey as a source, but does not provide a diverse range of authoritative voices or references to primary documents such as the budget itself or statements from government officials. The reliance on a single critical voice without corroborating sources or data diminishes the reliability and depth of the reporting. The lack of attribution to official statements or documents further weakens the credibility of the claims made in the article.

4
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of disclosing the basis for its claims and the methodology used to arrive at its conclusions. There is no clear explanation of how the information was gathered or whether there were any conflicts of interest affecting the reporting. The absence of such disclosures makes it difficult for readers to assess the impartiality and reliability of the content, leaving room for skepticism about the motivations behind the article's assertions.

Sources

  1. https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-agreement-fy-2026-state-budget
  2. https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2025/james-tedisco/tedisco-late-state-budget
  3. https://nysfocus.com/2025/03/12/how-new-york-state-budget-works
  4. https://www.budget.ny.gov/pubs/archive/fy25/ex/index.html
  5. https://reinventalbany.org/2024/04/statement-on-approved-fy-2025-nys-budget/