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State Passes Mid-Year Deficit Reduction Plan for 2009-10 Budget
New York State is facing the most severe budget crisis in its history. Decades of improvident spending, combined with a failure to pursue effective economic development strategies, left our state especially vulnerable to the effects of last year's global financial collapse. The budget that was passed in April exacerbated those policy failures with unsustainable spending and taxation, which is why I voted against it.
In the midst of this emergency, New Yorkers have watched with justified anger as their leaders in Albany refused to take action. The Senate's unwillingness to discharge its responsibilities, in particular, continues to act as a roadblock to the meaningful changes New Yorkers are demanding from and within state government.
However, early on Wednesday, the Assembly took two steps toward making some of those changes: Passage of a $2.7 billion deficit reduction plan and approval of long-needed reforms that cut the costly burden of the state's public employee retirement system. The Senate followed suit later in the day.
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Deficit Reduction Plan
My support for the deficit reduction proposal was reluctant, because I believe we need much deeper spending cuts if we are to bring expenditures into line with realistic revenue projections. State government must learn what New York's hard-working families already know: You cannot spend money you do not have.
I am aware that even the lesser reductions approved on Wednesday will mean painful reductions in services, and I remain committed as always to ensuring that our most vulnerable citizens are protected and given the support they need and deserve.
The only choices available to us are difficult ones, and it is the job of elected officials to make those choices if we are to avoid even worse and more painful crises in the future.
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One of the biggest obstacles to fiscal reform in New York is the public employee benefit/pension system, among the most expensive and lavish in the nation. While individuals who give years of hard work and service to the state are deserving of adequate compensation, the price of the current approach is simply too high.
The added tier of pension benefits applies to new employees within the state and local/police and fire retirement systems (outside of New York City). It requires 10 years of service prior to investiture; mandates employee contributions for the entirety of the terms of service; limits the amount of overtime that can be accredited toward pension payouts; and raises the minimum age for retirement to 62. These new measures could save up to $48.5 billion over the next 30 years.
I am proud to have co-sponsored this bill, because I believe it represents the needs and will of the people of New York, who pay the highest combined tax burden in the nation. Public employees must recognize this fact and share some of the burdens of change, as well.
It is time, and long past time, to change the rules in favor of citizens and taxpayers, and I am committed to continuing this fight in the 2010 legislative session.
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It remains in question if the actions in this deficit reduction plan go far enough to address the financial difficulties the state faces for the remainder of the 2009-10 fiscal year. However, there is no question that the overall financial picture of New York State is perilous and is likely to remain so well past this coming March.
In just one month we will begin to address the 2010-11 State Budget when the Governor announces his Executive Budget. At that point, the Legislature will again grapple with responsible ways to address the multi-billion dollar gaps projected for next year and beyond. This will be another major challenge, but also another opportunity to correct the financial course of this State by making the difficult decisions that are necessary to prevent fiscal ruin and provide a prosperous future for the citizens of our great state.
I look forward to this task and welcome you to provide any suggestions you have on how that goal can best be achieved.
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Since 1990, Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle has represented the 132nd Assembly District, which includes portions of the city of Rochester and the Monroe County suburbs of Irondequoit and Brighton. He is Chair of the Assembly Standing Committee on Insurance and also serves on the Rules, Ways & Means, Economic Development and Higher Education committees.
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NYS Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle
Irondequoit District Office
1945 East Ridge Rd, Rochester 14622
585-467-0410, Fax: 585-467-5342 |
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NYS Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle
Albany Legislative Office
716 Legislative Office Bldg, 12248
518-455-5373, Fax: 518-455-5647 |
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