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Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle, D-Irondequoit, released the following statement this afternoon regarding Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed 2012-2013 state budget:
“With its mix of innovative economic policies, government reform and fiscal accountability, the 2012-2013 budget extends and expands Governor Cuomo’s vision of a more prosperous New York,” Morelle said. “We will again close a projected deficit, hold the line on overall spending, and increase our commitment to education and health care while guarding the interests of taxpayers.
“At the same time,” Morelle continued, “we will leverage private sector investment through minimal public sector expense, an approach I have championed for many years. I am also greatly encouraged by the governor’s continued focus on streamlining state agencies, departments and service providers.
“As chairman of the Assembly’s insurance committee, I also support the call to move forward with the creation of insurance exchanges as required by federal health care reform,” Morelle added. “And, as a sponsor of mandate relief legislation, I applaud the governor's willingness to make truly substantial relief for local governments a priority this year as well.”
In response to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s State Budget proposal, Ted O’Brien, Democratic Leader of the Monroe County Legislature, also offered the following remarks:
“I am very pleased with the Governor’s proposed budget. The proposed takeover of certain Medicaid expenses will go a long way towards providing real property tax relief not only in Monroe County but across our state,” O’Brien said. “The Governor’s proposal to increase state aid for early intervention programs will also help provide much needed relief ... With the proposals announced today, we certainly hope that we will see a reduction in county property taxes over the next several budget cycles.”
Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks also released a lengthy statement.
“I am encouraged by the proposed Executive Budget presented by Governor Andrew Cuomo this afternoon,” Brooks said. “After years of financial mismanagement and uncurbed spending, leading to New York’s dubious distinction as one of the highest-taxed states in the nation, it is clear that this Governor is committed to the tenants of fiscal responsibility and restraint ... Albany is finally taking real strides towards securing a state government that is smaller, smarter, and more efficient.
Brooks said she is especially grateful for the Governor’s attention “to the unsustainable burden that state-mandated spending places on local governments. Several noteworthy mandate reform proposals, including a hard cap on growth in the local share of the Medicaid program, the phased-in state takeover of the administrative portion of Medicaid, structural reforms to the Early Intervention Program, a more equitable distribution of responsibility for Preschool Special Education costs, and the establishment of a Tier VI state pension system will all do a great deal to better protect local taxpayers across New York State. If approved by the Legislature, these measures stand as the most significant progress towards real mandate reform in recent memory.”
Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle, D-Irondequoit, released the following statement this afternoon regarding Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed 2012-2013 state budget:
“With its mix of innovative economic policies, government reform and fiscal accountability, the 2012-2013 budget extends and expands Governor Cuomo’s vision of a more prosperous New York,” Morelle said. “We will again close a projected deficit, hold the line on overall spending, and increase our commitment to education and health care while guarding the interests of taxpayers.
“At the same time,” Morelle continued, “we will leverage private sector investment through minimal public sector expense, an approach I have championed for many years. I am also greatly encouraged by the governor’s continued focus on streamlining state agencies, departments and service providers.
“As chairman of the Assembly’s insurance committee, I also support the call to move forward with the creation of insurance exchanges as required by federal health care reform,” Morelle added. “And, as a sponsor of mandate relief legislation, I applaud the governor's willingness to make truly substantial relief for local governments a priority this year as well.”
In response to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s State Budget proposal, Ted O’Brien, Democratic Leader of the Monroe County Legislature, also offered the following remarks:
“I am very pleased with the Governor’s proposed budget. The proposed takeover of certain Medicaid expenses will go a long way towards providing real property tax relief not only in Monroe County but across our state,” O’Brien said. “The Governor’s proposal to increase state aid for early intervention programs will also help provide much needed relief ... With the proposals announced today, we certainly hope that we will see a reduction in county property taxes over the next several budget cycles.”
Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks also released a lengthy statement.
“I am encouraged by the proposed Executive Budget presented by Governor Andrew Cuomo this afternoon,” Brooks said. “After years of financial mismanagement and uncurbed spending, leading to New York’s dubious distinction as one of the highest-taxed states in the nation, it is clear that this Governor is committed to the tenants of fiscal responsibility and restraint ... Albany is finally taking real strides towards securing a state government that is smaller, smarter, and more efficient.
Brooks said she is especially grateful for the Governor’s attention “to the unsustainable burden that state-mandated spending places on local governments. Several noteworthy mandate reform proposals, including a hard cap on growth in the local share of the Medicaid program, the phased-in state takeover of the administrative portion of Medicaid, structural reforms to the Early Intervention Program, a more equitable distribution of responsibility for Preschool Special Education costs, and the establishment of a Tier VI state pension system will all do a great deal to better protect local taxpayers across New York State. If approved by the Legislature, these measures stand as the most significant progress towards real mandate reform in recent memory.”
All local leaders said that in the days ahead, they will continue to analyze the executive budget to understand the extent of the impact it may have on this area.
John Abbott, deputy superintendent for the East Irondequoit School District, said projected increases in state aid were part of an agreement reached a year ago: That state aid will increase by the growth in personal income statewide. That should mean a 4.1 percent increase in aid for next year, he said.
The interesting twist, Abbott said, is that the Governor seemed to indicate the increase would not be payable without a new teacher evaluation system in place by January 2013. Noting that there’s currently litigation between NYSUT, the state teachers’ union, and the State Education Department regarding an annual professional performance review for teachers, “This should kick start it (an agreement), no doubt about it,” Abbott added.
Overall, Abbott said, there were no “real surprises” in the Governor’s budget proposal, “but that could change when we see the actual numbers ... the devil’s always in the details.”
