State Budget Issues

by Keith Cooper

From Broader View Weekly, April 1, 2010

States all across the nation are struggling with budget shortfalls. New York is far from unique in experiencing its own budget gaps as the governor and legislature approach their deadline. Most people are familiar with the problems facing states such as California, and the drastic steps being taken to resolve their own deficits. Therefore, it is little surprise that Governor David Paterson, the State Assembly and State Senate find themselves in similar waters.

While both legislative houses have passed emergency bills to keep the state government operating, as of this writing, differences of opinion and strategy are likely to prevent legislators from presenting a budget by the April 1 deadline.

One would hope that our representatives in the state legislature would put aside politics and focus on doing their best to serve the people of New York. Unfortunately, the work of the people is being impeded by the personal interests of those in Albany.

The obvious requirement of balancing a budget plagued by deficit is to increase revenue while reducing expenditure. The governor’s office and the houses of legislature have presented various plans to address budget issues.

Paterson has infamously proposed increasing revenue by raising taxes on cigarettes and imposing taxes on soft drinks. These measures, which lopsidedly affect lower income New Yorkers, unfairly target a group of people by their lifestyle. They also fall short of closing the gaps in the budget.

Cuts proposed by the governor’s office and the legislature to state programs and aid also threaten New York’s neediest by limiting or denying funding to school districts and other vital programs. Regardless of the outcome of negotiation, billions of dollars will be eliminated from programs and New Yorkers will suffer. Meanwhile, those who can least afford it will be further squeezed to make up the difference between revenue and expenditure.

And while we the people of New York are sacrificing, those in government in Albany are sharing in that sacrifice as well, right? Well, as it turns out, not so much.

Reports in the last couple of weeks have shown that even though the economy is depressed, and even though a pay freeze has been instituted in Albany, staffs in the legislature have been increased and raises have been awarded. Popular convention among fiscal conservatives would insist that the bulk of the increases would be at the hands of the tax-and-spend Democratic party. However, the majority of the $7.4 million these increases will cost New Yorkers, is being claimed by Republicans in the State Senate. Of course Democrats have had their hands out for these payoffs as well.

That this opportunism is a bi-partisan effort is small comfort. That it represents a lack of responsibility among those making decisions that affect us all is troubling.

Balancing the state budget, or at least presenting a realistic budget that meets needs while limiting its negative impact on the public, is a monumental task. This process and the negotiations that are part of it, require difficult choices and compromise. These things are certain.

I am concerned, not by the failure to meet deadlines in a timely manner, but by the things I see in the proposals coming from the governor’s office, the senate and the assembly. I am not fully qualified to offer solutions to state budget shortfalls. However, I believe that any such decisions should be made with the needs of and circumstances of the citizens of the state. Unfortunately, I see a governor acting with little regard to public opinion and of the real-world consequences of his decisions. I see a legislature too self-absorbed to look beyond personal gain to the business of helping those they represent.

As the formation of proposals and the budgeting process go forward I invite New Yorkers to keep an eye on the process and the provisions that are still evolving. There is still time to get involved. Our representatives in Albany are still working on the deals that will impact our lives. We should communicate to them our will. That remains our responsibility as the key component of a democratic system.