Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Fierce Budget Proposal - Cuomo Not Kidding

by Carlos González


Governor Andrew Cuomo

ALBANY - The Division of Budget has posted the 2011-2012 proposed budged by Governor Andrew Cuomo. You can find downloadable sections of the budget here.

The total budget is expected to be #132.9 billion or $3.7 billion less amounting to a 2.3 percent decrease.

School aid drops $1.5 billion from $20.9 b to $19.4 billion, based on a school year scheduled to begin July 1, 2011.

Cuomo also proposed a 10 percent agency cut, and seeks savings in what is described as givebacks. If the savings can't be achieved, he'll consider the layoff of up to 9,800 as a "last resort."

State operating funds will see a 1 percent increase.

Cuomo is also seeking to merge Corrections with Parole, the Commission of Correction with the Division of Criminal Justice Services, and also has his sights on Banking, Consumer Protection and Insurance.

The budget extends the low income housing tax credit.

He creates a task force to target prisons for closure.

Worse, for NYC residents - and this is certainly not going to sit well with Mayor Michael Bloomberg - New York City will once again receive zero local government aid from the state.

Reaction to the budget proposal coming soon.

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