Reports: Cuomo looking to cut as many as 15k state jobs, plan would have SUNY campuses compete for funding, county legislator accused of felony forgery
Two reports this morning that the Cuomo administration is considering a plan that would cut as many as 15,000 state jobs. There's also talk of a "Tier VI" pension plan that would be more along the lines of a 401k than the current state employee pension. Also reportedly on the table: big cuts to public school funding and Medicaid. [NYT] [TU] [WSJ]
There continues to be talk that Cuomo is threatening to shut the state government down if he doesn't get the cuts he wants. [NY Post]
The state Senate passed a bill that moves the ball ahead (a little bit) on putting a spending cap into the state constitution. It also approved a bill that would require 2/3 vote in the legislature for new taxes. [TU] [AP/Troy Record]
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli said this week that the state could be facing an $11 billion budget gap. [NYS OSC]
In the first-ever "State of SUNY" address, chancellor Nancy Zimpher unveiled a plan in which campuses for would compete for some types of funding, based on criteria such as research, student retention and degree completion. She also said the university system has the potential to create 40,000 jobs. [SUNY] [TU] [YNN] [Fox23]
As expected, the two local House members split on the vote to repeal the health care reform act -- Chris Gibson for repeal, Paul Tonko against. [TU CapCon] [NYT] [YNN] [YNN]
Karon McFarland, the man accused of shooting a woman in Schenectady four times on Valentine's Day last year, was found guilty on a handful of charges -- but not attempted murder. [TU]
Albany police have filed a felony forgery complaint against county legislator Brian Scavo alleging he forged a tenant's signature on document related to an eviction. Scavo says he has proof the signature is legit. [TU] [Fox23]
The Town of Colonie is still facing a $16 million budget deficit. Supervisor Paula Mahan said in her state of the town speech that the town is "leaner and more efficient than ever," but the economy has prevented further deficit reduction. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Schenectady's interim schools superintendent says the district has to figure out how to "rebuild" its budget based on current revenue -- and not higher taxes. [Daily Gazette]
There's a proposal to build a solar energy facility Clifton Park's capped landfill on Vischer Ferry Road. [Daily Gazette]
A Columbia County dairy, already popular in NYC, has gotten investment so that it can expand its offerings to the Capital Region (and other places). [TU]
The Glenville Scottish Highland cattle are still missing. [Daily Gazette]
Demolition is scheduled to begin today on the checkerboard water towers in Latham. [CBS6]
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Comments
AOA- could you put together some type of infographic displaying the dollar amounts that public officials proclaim as the state's budget gap? Here's DiNapoli at $11 large- I think I saw somewhere this morning Cuomo's at $9B? Anyway, these guys are all over the place as to what the amount is and their plan to tackle it. Its tough to keep it all straight. I'm sure it would be a big hit with the stateworker demo.
... said Jeff S on Jan 20, 2011 at 10:53 AM | link
@Jeff: You're right that a bunch of numbers have been thrown out there. One problem in keeping them all straight is that people are counting in different ways. For example, DiNapoli's $11 billion is a combination the current year gap (projected to be about $1 billion) plus the gap that's shaping up for next year. If nothing happens to address the current year gap, it basically gets rolled into next year (though I'm sure it's more complicated than that).
All that said, I like the idea of trying to present this stuff in a way that's easier to understand. We'll think about it a bit. And if anyone has ideas, we'd love to hear them.
... said Greg on Jan 20, 2011 at 11:00 AM | link
yeah, that whole 2/3 to pass tax increases has worked out so well for California... nothing like binding the hands of all future legislatures to get anything done, ever. Idiots.
... said Mak on Jan 20, 2011 at 11:56 AM | link
"There continues to be talk that Cuomo is threatening to shut the state government down if he doesn't get the cuts he wants. [NY Post]"
Give Andrew a baseball bat and a sneer and he'll be the spittin' image of Carl Paladino.
... said Bob on Jan 20, 2011 at 12:43 PM | link