STATEMENT BY SENATOR BETTY LITTLETuesday, January 22, 2008
"There’s no doubt we are facing a very challenging budget cycle this year. The economic outlook is bleak, and we must grapple with a $4 billion projected deficit.
"I am concerned the governor’s budget proposal does not do enough to address the number one issue, property tax relief. While I look forward to learning more about the tax commission the governor has proposed, the commission may not be able to offer recommendations quickly enough to make it into the new budget. My circuit breaker bill would provide immediate relief to the low- and middle-income families most in need. Given the broad and bipartisan support the legislation has garnered, this is something the administration should take a closer look at prior to the 30-day amendments.
"I like the governor’s ‘Doctors Across New York’ initiative to mitigate the doctor shortage, but I want to be assured that our hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and other health care facilities will not be shortchanged. Likewise, it is important to ensure our schools receive sufficient state aid to help them avoid local tax increases. I have not yet seen the school aid runs, which detail how much aid each district would receive.
"The executive budget proposal would provide new assistance for local governments. The pre-school education cap will help counties. If overall costs continue to climb, however, increased aid will be absorbed quickly and won’t translate into local tax relief. Mandate relief is essential.
"The revenue enhancers proposed, such as a fee increase for car insurance policy renewals, are not what we need to stimulate the economy. The idea to collect more tax on fuel is terrible. And there are increased taxes on banks, health care and not-for-profits. A proposed tax on illegal drugs is interesting, and I’m wondering how the tax department would go about enforcing this one.
"There’s a lot to learn in the next few weeks about the proposed budget -- the good, bad and ugly. I am eager for the budget hearings to begin and to have the opportunity to work through this process."
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