Comptroller: Budget Not Too Rosey

A Former Assemblyman and current New York State Comptroller, Tom DiNapoli, is critical of this year's budget, which is not considerably different from past years while he was in the Democratic majority of Silver's Assembly. In the 43 page report DiNapoli is critical of several areas including the process, state debt and spending.

The report points out that the process of using Joint Conference Committees designed to add transparency and full disclosure to the public failed to perform and budget bills were printed prior to finalizing the budget, thus they provided incomplete information.

His preliminary analysis includes risky revenue initiatives that may not materialize and tax collection projections that may not come to fruition due to the continued weakening economy. The report points out the state continues to spend more money than it takes in, general fund spending, which is the true increase based on taxpayer collections, increased 5.4%.

Taxes collected in New York State are increasing as a percent of the total budgeted receipts, increasing from 42.7% in the 2003-04 year to 53% this year with less coming from the federal government, amplifying that increases in spending in New York State will present an even greater burden on the residents of the state.

DiNapoli identifies out year budget gaps to be as much as $9.5 billion dollars all the while the state is increasing its debt by $11.5 billion dollars adding to existing $53 billion in current debt, making debt service the fastest growing category and correctly points out the state is funding this year’s spending with future tax dollars. At the same time debt is increasing; the investment in long term assets likes bridges, etc is falling short, which essentially means the government is using long term money for short term expenses and that is a recipe for disaster.

Governor Paterson, given the circumstances, did the right thing by passing the budget in an efficient manner and is to be commended for attempting to curb spending of state agencies by 3.35% and by stating he wants to reconvene with legislative leaders to look for ways to cut spending whether it is this year or for next year’s budget. The review from DiNapoli suggests spending cuts should be sooner rather than later.

New York State will consistently have a difficult time attracting business development to New York if they do not even know how to manage their own business of running the government which is evident in their fiscal management.

Budget "Process" Worst In Years

No excuses acceptable for lack of transparency, given the circumstances it might have been acceptable to have a late budget, but no reason to regress to bad habits in the name of expediency and then not meet the grade in either area. The process was flawed!

The excuses chiefly center around Spitzer's witlessness.

At the very top of the list is our infamous former Governor Spitzer who decided that high priced hookers on trains to Washington, D.C. would send our fragile government into more of a tail (no pun intended) spin for a more than a week. Spitzer exits stage right.

Then enter Paterson stage left, and he attempts to pick up the pieces, however, before the important business of working on our budget that state and local governments and school districts depend on, he decides to run his hotel habits by the media and public and let them chew on it for a week. Then, he takes the process to the back room, where he lacks the fortitude to take a stand against Bruno and Silver, but promises next year is the year.

So, once again, New York State budget process ended up a secret, as tight as Eliot's black socks, with 3 men in a room and not a committee of rank and file lawmakers in sight.

Susan Lerner of Common Cause witnessed the Albany budget process for the first time and offered this assessment, "I knew things were messy in Albany, but I'm truly taken aback at how completely non responsive the system is to the concerns of New Yorkers."

A sloppy bloated budget, produced 8 days late, the latest in 4 years, and all done behind closed doors. All of this is acknowledged by the three men; Bruno, Silver and Paterson, when, like repentant children, they are all promising to do better next year.

They did not hit a single mark this year, what can be acceptable for an excuse?

Governor's Epiphany

Governor Paterson is having an epiphany about the budget and New York State spending, rightfully so, as lawmakers are about to settle in and vote on this year’s budget. These events seem to occur more frequently as responsibility for actions increase and people become more of the decision makers, such as the case with New York State Comptroller DiNapoli with his remark about being a “reformed sinner”.

Recent remarks made by Governor Paterson, consistently broadcast themes for the next budget that include a need to “tighten our belts”, cutting spending and not rely on new taxes on the millionaires or middle class, the need to change their inability to manage effectively and being more fiscally sound.

Governor Paterson said, “What this state is going to need to reverse its spending binge is strong leadership from the executive levels.”

The Governor wants a reincarnation as a good honest, fiscally prudent steward of the taxpayer’s money, then he can begin with one of New York State’s illustrious leaders, Sheldon Silver.

Sheldon Silver, alone in 2006-07, bankrolled projects in his one single Assembly district to the tune of $7,384,500. It is safe to say that is more than the 118th and 122nd Assembly districts and 48th Senate district combined.

If every Assembly person received an equal share of the pork, it would be approximately a $566,666 per member, or 0.66% of the total, Silver’s take equaled 8.6% of the total pot of money, 13x what he should have received. Silver has control of the $85 million in Assembly pork and he abuses it to his advantage.

Can people in New York (outside his district) possibly believe this is fair? Governor Paterson should correct this immediately and show people he is serious about his tenets.

Details of the budget forthcoming as soon as available, they are still secretive.