Budget Season in New York

Budget season is upon us in earnest here in New York. Everything is very much in a state of flux as we wait for negotiations to unfold between Governor Cuomo and the legislature. It is way too soon to say whether the budget for the upcoming state fiscal year will be good, bad or indifferent for us.

There were at least two encouraging pieces of news coming out of Governor Cuomo's office this week. The first, as the Center for New York City Affairs reports, is the state is continuing its effort to reduce the use of incarceration for juveniles and is interested in creating new alternative programs for New York City kids in particular. Also of note is the news that Governor Cuomo has made favorable noises about the judiciary's budget submission -- this wasn't the case last year.

A few other quick hits:

The Red Hook Star-Revue reports on the Justice Center's new program to serve 16 and 17 year old criminal defendants.

The National Law Journal on the spread of community courts in Washington DC, featuring Julius Lang from the Center. (Behind a pay wall, I'm afraid.)

Corrections Sentencing 2020 blog on Trial and Error in Criminal Justice Reform.