Looking at the hard numbers, we cannot ignore the fact that new York State has a budget crisis. We have to make some hard choices in the coming months and years. In November and December, as we worked to pass a Deficit Reduction Plan, I argued strongly that we should make those choices responsibly and strategically – for example, I worked to preserve programs that brought in millions of dollars of federal stimulus funds, I argued against cutting school budgets mid-year because I believed that sudden cuts would undermine kids’ education, and I prioritized spending that would save money in the long run, for example by upgrading technology the state government uses.
I hate to say it, but the challenges with our budget are far from over. If you have creative ideas for how the state government can cut costs, save money, and deliver smarter, more efficient services, please do not hesitate to share your ideas. As always, I can be reached at squadron@senate.state.ny.us [3] or 212-298-5565.
