"At first glance, the plan gives us hope that we will have a timely budget this year," Ms. Lynch said.

Perhaps the most notable moment came when he called for timely budgets, since the last 20 have missed the April 1 deadline.

But whether that will result in a timely budget remains to be seen.

"The end result is headlines that say, 'the Legislature fails to enact a timely budget.' "

What better times did not make possible was a timely budget, which had been due April 1.

But the passage of a timely budget seemed less certain tonight after a meeting between the three men ended without an agreement.

But whether that will lead to a relatively timely budget is unclear.

The budget is more than three weeks late; the State Legislature has not passed a timely budget in 18 years.

New York's lawmakers have habitually failed to pass a clear and timely budget.

Politically, the governor has been ratcheting up the pressure for a timely budget.