Assembly passes Raise the Age as budget negotiations continue

Albany -- The state Assembly on Tuesday passed legislation that would raise the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18 years old.

The "Raise the Age" bill was approved 81-40.

That piece is key for the Assembly's Majority Democrats as the calendar moves deeper into budget negotiation season. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has included Raise the Age legislation in his budget, but past efforts to get those under the age of 18 out of adult prisons and tried in the family court system for most crimes has fallen flat.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, D-Bronx, said at a Tuesday press conference he would not make a declaration that the budget should be held up if Raise the Age isn't included. But at the same time he made Raise the Age out to be an imperative as part of an overhaul of the criminal justice system.

"Deep-red states that have a Republican governor and Republican (legislature) have found a way to do this," Heastie said. "For me personally it's embarrassing that New York is still one of the two states (not) to do this. For me, as a speaker of color, it truly is hurtful to me that New York and North Carolina are the only ones that still treat 16- and 17-year-olds as adults."

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Assembly-passes-Raise-the-Age-as-budget-10932412.php