Gov. Andrew Cuomo struck a conciliatory tone during his post-leaders meeting press conference, saying he and the majority conference legislative leaders – who were standing on either side of him at the time – remain “optimistic” about an on-time budget (give or take a few days).

But asked how prepared he is to go the all-or-nothing extender route if a three-way deal fails to materialize, Cuomo responded:

“Prepared. The ultimate obligation is to get the people of the state of NY a good budget, right? That is the goal.”

“The means is do it amicably in a three-way process and get it done on time. That’s what we are working towards now. I am optimitic we can get that done. My colleagues are optimistic. I’m hopeful. I have my fingers crossed.”

“…Your question suggests a note of realism.. So let’s say it doesn’t happen, what’s the contingency plan? Then there are other ways to get the budget done.”

While Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos looked on, Cuomo said there is “flexibility” in his executive budget proposal (he has already signaled a willingness to restore health care and education aid, as long as the overall $132.9 billion number doesn’t grow). He then pretty much put the kibosh on two key elements of their respective one-house budget plans.

On the millionaire’s tax, which Silver has proposed, Cuomo insisted the topic hadn’t come up today. He also said his opposition, which he has expressed repeatedly over the past several months, hasn’t changed.

Silver said he’s not drawing a line in the sand on the tax, adding:

“(E)verything is open, everything is negotiable. I think it makes sense though, and I think we still have some time to persuade our colleagues in government, that it’s what makes sense. It’s what brings us a balanced budget this year and a balanced budget next year.”

Cuomo also panned the Senate GOP’s proposal to use the $500 million worth of education aid for which he wants districts to compete to restore some of the $1.5 billion in funding cuts. He called the two $250 million competitive funds “essential.”

“I’m not willing to sacrifice performance,” the governor said. “Look, for me one of the major incentives, one of the major initiatives in the budget is moving toward performance….It’s not just more money, more money, more money.”

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