Broke

As expected, David Paterson today announced the state is facing $2 billion budget shortfall this year and what looks like a $12.5 billion gap for next year (that's roughly 10 percent of this year's budget). Paterson wouldn't say how he'd like to go about trimming the budge, but he said, There is no segment of this budget that will not be cut."

Comments

Check out New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness. They support a Better Choice Budget campaign which outlines some really sensible measures rather than a bunch of slashing and lay offs.They even ask for use of the Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund. Not that I knew about it until I read about it in their campaign, but sounds like as good a time as any to me.

http://www.abetterchoiceforny.org

@Glenna - Unfortunately "New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness" is just a front group for the public employee unions.

The reason that the deficits in New York are so bad isn't because we're not charging enough taxes or because of "corporate loopholes" or private contractors in government. All of these things waste money, but the problem comes from the budget-breaking spending growth comes from NY's sacred cows: health and education spending.

Its time for the state to compel the consolidation of school districts to reduce the massive overhead costs. Count the school districts in the Capital District alone -- it's a complete waste.

Every school district has several full-time people in the business office, including a business administrator that usually makes over $100k. Why? Consolidate those functions, and the bus operations and food service on a county-wide basis, and you would save lots of money.

We also have too many hospital beds, many of which are empty. Time to close hospitals where it makes sense. We also have dozens or hundreds of hospitals going broke due to poor people without insurance using the ER as primary care. Give those people insurance and give them access to a real doctor.

Hi there. Comments have been closed for this item. Still have something to say? Contact us.

The Scoop

For a decade All Over Albany was a place for interested and interesting people in New York's Capital Region. It was kind of like having a smart, savvy friend who could help you find out what's up. AOA stopped publishing at the end of 2018.

Recently on All Over Albany

Thank you!

When we started AOA a decade ago we had no idea what was going to happen. And it turned out better than we could have... (more)

Let's stay in touch

This all feels like the last day of camp or something. And we're going to miss you all so much. But we'd like to stay... (more)

A few things I think about this place

Working on AOA over the past decade has been a life-changing experience for me and it's shaped the way I think about so many things.... (more)

Albany tightened its rules for shoveling snowy sidewalks last winter -- so how'd that work out?

If winter ever gets its act together and drops more snow on us, there will be sidewalks to shovel. And shortly after that, Albany will... (more)

Tea with Jack McEneny

Last week we were fortunate enough to spend a few minutes with Jack McEneny -- former state Assemblyman, unofficial Albany historian, and genuinely nice guy.... (more)

Recent Comments

My three year old son absolutely loving riding the train around Huck Finn's (Hoffman's) Playland this summer.

Thank you!

...has 27 comments, most recently from Ashley

Let's stay in touch

...has 4 comments, most recently from mg

A look inside 2 Judson Street

...has 3 comments, most recently from Diane (Agans) Boyle

Everything changes: Alicia Lea

...has 2 comments, most recently from Chaz Boyark

A few things I think about this place

...has 13 comments, most recently from Katherine