North Country Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, said she voted to support a budget extender Monday that will keep state government operating as the state legislature and governor continue to negotiate a 2017-18 spending plan.

"We have been working very hard to come to a full budget decision for the past several days. We appear to be very close, but since we are not there yet this is the responsible thing to do. There would have been no winners if we had allowed government to shut down," Jenne said.

The budget extender will not expire until May 31, but Assemblywoman Jenne said she is cautiously optimistic state lawmakers will be able to reach a budget agreement in the near future.

"It is in no one's best interest to allow lifesaving programs – such as those that help seniors afford their prescription drugs, food and housing assistance for the poor and care for the sick and disabled – to lapse," she said.

She noted if the budget extender had not been approved funding that provides valuable services in our communities would have been cut off as well as funding for law enforcement and emergency services.

"Our struggles over the last few issues, including school aid and college affordability, that have led to delays in reaching a budget agreement can't be allowed to become threats in the near term to the health and well-being of North Country residents and millions of New Yorkers," she pointed out.

"This extender still leaves questions about funding for public education and higher education for the 2017-18 fiscal year," according to Assemblywoman Jenne. "We need to get the budget done so our schools have accurate information as they finalize their proposed spending plans for the 2017-18 school year over the next couple of weeks. Our taxpayers, students and schools lose if districts are forced to adopt budgets without having a full understanding of the revenues they will receive in state aid," she added.