New York State Legislators Balking At Budget Cuts

New York State Governor David Paterson is set to meet with legislative leaders today to discuss mid-year budget cuts once again. However, it appears not everyone is on board with the idea of cutting the budget. Not only do some of the Albany-fat-cats not want to trim the budget this year, but they’re even balking at trimming the budget for next year. The Governor keeps say the budget deficit needs to be addressed now before it gets worse. While he’s partially right, he is on the mark when trying to cut the budget. We did not get here overnight. New York State spending has been out of control for years. In the past, instead of trimming an already bloated budget, legislators decided to take loans to cover the losses.

How stupid is that? Borrowing to cover loss, does not get you out of the hole.

Reality is, thanks to some of the legislators who’ve enjoyed the gravy-train ride to Albany, New York State is facing a huge budget deficit. The sad thing is, many of those same legislators are busy drawing political lines in the sand, than really trying to work a solution for the budget shortfall we now find ourselves in.

Could it be some are waiting for a Federal Government bailout?

Everyone Else Is Doing It…

Did you ever try that on your mother as a kid? I know I used to try that line of thinking when I really wanted to do something. With a quiver in my lip and crackling in my voice trying to draw some sympathy, I would look at my mother and say — But everyone else is doing it? — Of course my mother would look me square in the eye and respond — If all the other kids jumped off a cliff, would you do it too? — I quickly lost the argument.

These days it seems everyone is lining up for a Federal Government handout. It started with Wall Street, and now the automakers are lining up asking for cash too. On top of that, Governor Arnie has driven the State of California into a huge deficit hole and he too is looking for a hand out. In a statement yesterday he said he’s not looking for a lot of money, “Just 5 or 6 million dollars.” I’m sorry Governor Terminator, but I’m not interested in helping your State out of the money hole you put it in. Of course I also say the same thing about Wall Street, the automakers, and yes, even New York State.

This craziness has got to stop!

Republican Dean Skelos, the leader of the New York State Senate’s Republican party, says he will not vote for the cuts. Senator Skelos went on to say the cuts are too “haphazard and damaging, despite the state’s extraordinary financial distress.” But here’s the catch to what Senator Skelos is saying. Not only does he say he will not vote for the cuts, Skelos has also gone on record as saying he will not come up with any ideas of his own! That’s right, you read that correctly. In the midst of a financial crisis, Senator Skelos is simply playing politics and throwing up roadblocks, instead of working out solutions.

Someone needs to send Senator Skelos a loud message…

If you refuse to be part of the solution Mr. Skelos, then get out of the way so others can come up with a solution.

I’ve talked with many politicians, and yes, I’ve even talked with school leaders who are facing possible mid-year cuts. While I understand what some of the politicians are saying, I applaud those who are working to make some mid-year cut proposals. At least the ones seriously looking at the issue are working to be part of the solution instead of putting up roadblocks. One of the main reasons I hear for those against the budget cuts goes like this…

People can’t be expected to make mid-year budget adjustments. It’s just not fair.

Excuse me? My wife fell down a flight of stairs in late-April. We suddenly found ourselves faced with the reality that her income, which we had budgeted for, was not available for a number of months. We’re still working now, even with my wife back to work, to catch up. But, in the midst of our budget year, we had to make some mid-year course adjustments. Maybe I should have called some of my government leaders for help. Was the fall fair? No. Did the electric company care about our situation? No. Did they still want their money? Yes! Did we make budget adjustments and cut things out of our budget? Yes! I know the situation I just described in our household is not an isolated experience. Families across New York State are facing very similar experiences. The difference is, we’re not allowed to keep running our household budget into a billion dollar deficit like New York State legislators.

Is it an easy task to make mid-year budget cuts? Of course not. But, there are areas of the New York State budget that can be cut. For starters, if the state plans to cut school funding, then now is also the time to look at some of the silly state non-funded mandates that add thousands of dollars a year to school budgets across the state. That’s just for starters. There are a number of other great ideas floating around out there to trim the budget too. But, some of the legislators simply need to stop digging in their heals, and help the process, instead of hindering the process.

My suggestion for you today is this — If your New York State legislator refuses to be part of the solution, call them up today and tell them to get out of the way.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus