In his budget address yesterday Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed a statewide full-day pre-K program backed by $1.5 billion in state funds over five years. But Mayor Bill de Blasio isn't budging on his own plan, and said that the governor's proposal won't cover the costs. The mayor's plan - paid for by a tax on the wealthy - proposes spending $1.7 billion over five years in the city alone.

Those close to the governor tell the NY Times that he believes de Blasio's plan is based on politics and also sets the city at an advantage over other municipalities. Sources close to the mayor tell Crain's that he doesn't want to horse trade and wants to set the city's tax rate. They also point out that the state failed to provide promised education funds in the recent past.

​Although many education advocates support some type of universal pre-K, there are critics. Some are concerned that the focus on pre-K is taking away from efforts to improve K-12 education, and others question the importance of pre-K itself. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said he was open to either plan but wants to see more details on both. Other Stories We're Following

Cuomo Wants Spending Growth Below 2 Percent (Albany Times Union)

Cuomo Takes A First Step Toward Campaign Finance Reform (Capital)

Cuomo Rips Obama Over Ailing Brooklyn Hospitals (Daily News)

Cuomo: Common Core Needs 'Corrective Action' (Daily News)

De Blasio Vows To Be Less 'Punitive' Against Small Businesses (DNAinfo)

Mark-Viverito Set To Reward Allies (Capital)

Feds On Board With $850 Million For Sandy Subway Fixes (NY Post)

Residents Say De Blasio ‘Getting Back’ At UES By Not Plowing (NY Post)

Missing Boy Avonte Oquendo's DNA Linked To Remains (Wall Street Journal)