ALBANY — The governor’s proposed budget makes plenty of room for grandiose infrastructure projects that seek to inflate the administration’s reputation, but leaves out the necessary funding for public programs that serve our most vulnerable citizens.
“Gov. Andrew Cuomo used a big show to make his case that New York is on the move. Billions are proposed to move our state forward, but too many New Yorkers are being left behind,” said CSEA President Danny Donohue.
Shortchanging localities
The budget also shortchanges localities that are increasingly in need of services. Recently, a century-old water main broke in Troy, which led not only to flooding, but to the loss of water in the city and numerous surrounding communities. This is only an example of how the governor’s budget isn’t doing enough for people.
In addition, the spending plan continues wasteful corporate welfare and economic development schemes that fail to produce the jobs they promise.
Pet projects over people
The budget also includes $1 million to fund a commission to study proposals that could be proposed at a constitutional convention, which CSEA strongly opposes. The proposed spending plan is more about big-ticket spending for political pet projects and less about investing in the daily needs of the people who live here.
For example, flawed plans and inadequate funding in mental health and developmental disabilities programs have long rankled CSEA. They not only hurt people in need, but also create challenging working conditions for CSEA members in those fields and create social and financial upheaval in local communities. There are more people receiving mental health services in local jails than in state psychiatric centers and the cost is shifted to already hard-pressed local taxpayers because of the state’s irresponsibility.
While shortchanging localities on state aid, the Cuomo administration has repeatedly pushed a local government consolidation plan. Citizens have often voted down consolidations in the past because of valid concerns about loss of accountability, and a reduced ability to meet the needs of the people those governments are tasked to serve. Fiscal experts generally agree that consolidation will provide little, if any, savings for taxpayers.
