Early State Budget Possible This Week

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- New York's Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo are on track to pass the earliest state budget in decades.

The Legislature is to publicly present counterproposals to Cuomo on Monday or Tuesday, although closed-door negotiations have been going on for weeks.

Cuomo's $143 billion budget proposal would increase state spending about 2 percent. It includes no new taxes, although he would extend some business taxes that were due to expire.

The independent Citizens Budget Commission says Cuomo's budget proposal is reasonable.

The Legislature traditionally adds less than 1 percent to the budget, but it is usually in the areas that hit New Yorkers most such as school aid, taxes, fees and health care.

After two decades of late budgets, this would be the third straight that was passed on time.