ALBANY, N.Y. — While New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s bail bombshell dominated budget talks in recent weeks, there are plenty of other big-ticket items and spending plans for review ahead of the April 1 fiscal deadline. Bolstered by federal COVID funds, the governor offered a $216 billion spending plan in January including better-than-expected tax revenue, proposals to fast-track downstate casino licenses, increase education and child education care spending, fund pandemic recovery initiatives and provide bonuses for health care and front-line workers. Legislative leaders countered with their own …
