Cuomo Proposes $137B State Budget; Spends 2% more

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is proposing a $137 billion state budget that would increase spending about 2 percent without increasing taxes.

It includes some fee hikes for New Yorkers.

Cuomo's budget proposal to the Legislature provides 4.4 percent more aid to schools.

Municipal aid outside New York City is proposed to stay level, at a time when many counties and smaller local governments worry they could become insolvent.

Cuomo proposes to suspend the driver's license of people with big, overdue tax bills. He also would make it harder to plea down some speeding charges to avoid bigger fines and insurance premium hikes.

The budget also provides some creative funding of Cuomo's school reforms including longer school days.

The Citizens Budget Commission sees the proposal as responsible, without a big bite on New Yorkers.