Trimming An Already Bloated Budget
Governor David Paterson’s job approval rating may have dipped to 51% this week, but one thing is for sure - New Yorkers overwhelming support his message that the state should cut spending. The question is, just how to cut that spending. The Governor is projecting a $2 billion dollar shortfall for this fiscal year, and it looks even worse, rising into the double digit billions for next year. In a recent poll, 75% of voters think the state budget gap of $2 billion should be closed by cutting spending. 10% support increasing taxes while just 9% favor borrowing money.
Earlier this week I addressed the New York State budget crisis in two other posts;
In the New York State Stalemate post I quoted a recent press release from Assembly Republican Leader Jim Tedisco which said “Some serious and substantive proposals were offered to help address New York’s mounting budget deficit.” Later in the post I mentioned I planned to ask Republican Assemblyman Brian Kolb what those proposals were. I also pointed out that I had an interview with the Assemblyman and I took some Twitter questions from people. Assemblyman Kolb had some great budget cut suggestions, and he also addressed some other key issues as well.
Budget Cut Proposals
It’s no secret New York State is in a serious financial crisis. Even before the Wall Street fiasco, the state was facing an incredible budget shortfall. Of course much of what we hear from Albany when it comes to budget cuts revolves around name calling, and very little progress. When Assemblyman Jim Tedisco announced there were indeed some substantive proposals I wondered what those proposals are. After all, the screamers only decry cuts to education and health care. When I interviewed Assemblyman Brian Kolb, who represents the 129 Assembly District, this week, I asked him what some of those proposals are.
He outlined five right off the top of his head;
- Collecting Native American Sales Tax for products sold to non-Native Americans - $2 billion dollars this year would be added to the state coffers!
- Cut member items - $200 million dollars
- Tap into the rainy day funds account. This is indeed a rainy day.
- Consolidate duplicated State Agencies.
- Really go after Medicaid fraud.
Not only would addressing the above five items alone close the budget deficit, but the state would actually end up in the black for the year!
Twitter Questions For Assemblyman Kolb
Tjpip — Will the Foundation aid for schools, which is meant to level the playing field in school aid, be impacted by budget cuts.
In response to this question, Assemblyman Kolb pointed out that when it comes to education dollars, they could be impacted, simply because one suggestion is to cut education aid. However, he went on to point out that by looking at the other proposals, which are listed above, education aid would not have to be touched.
mom2twinsplus1 — Why is there so little lack of give and take? What are you willing to give up, and I mean REALLY give up, in order to fix it?
While I’ve addressed the issue Assemblyman Kolb discussed in answering this question before, I’d forgotten just how lobbyists and special interest groups effect the government. Assemblyman Kolb pointed out the lack of give and take stems from the control special interest groups and lobbyists have in Albany. (This of course is not an issue that only effects Albany. Lobbyists and special interests have taken a foothold at every level of both state and federal government.) These groups do nothing more than put a lot of pressure on individual government leaders to bow to their whims, instead of the needs of the people. Special interest groups drive up the bloated budget, and in many cases, do not support governmental leaders. Of course when it comes time for fund raising, these same special interest groups apply pressure by either giving, or withholding campaign dollars.
As I said above, it is no secret that New York State is facing a major financial crisis. At the end of the interview I asked Assemblyman Kolb what “we the people” could do. His response, write letters to the Governor’s office giving ideas as to where cuts can be made in the budget. Too often many simply scream foul when it comes to cuts, but make no suggestions as to what can be done to trim a budget. If we do this, we’re no better than some of the political leaders currently in office. Governor Paterson put forth some suggestions for budget cuts. But, instead of bringing other suggestions to the table, many simply screamed saying you can’t cut education and health care funding. If you make no other suggestions, then you remain part of the problem, instead of part of the solution.
How can New York get out of the current budget hole?
While it won’t happen overnight, I believe we find ourselves at a point in time when many are saying “Something needs to be done.” That means, something will be done. All we need are good thinkers to put forth good ideas to address the current situation. If you’re looking for a way to impact the current situation,
Don’t scream at him, and don’t simply say - You can’t cut education and health care funding. - Provide the Governor with solid suggestions. If you do nothing more than list the suggestions outlined above, do that. But the bottom line is, let your voice be heard, in a calm way, and maybe we will truly see change that helps the situation.
It’s time to make the word “change” more than just a bumper sticker.
Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus
