Published: 2010-01-06 10:34:34
Author: Emily Stewart | Poughkeepsie Journal | January 6, 2010
Cut. Cut. Cut.
Salaries. Programs. Benefits.
Local residents and elected officials who were asked how they would solve the state's fiscal crisis pointed a knife at spending, but they differed on what to cut and how to enact lasting change.
Many residents pointed to the need to cut salaries of public employees to reflect those in the private sector, and reduce benefits for the chronically unemployed. Elected officials pointed to big programs, such as Medicaid, that they said need to be cut back.
Professors teaching about government and politics weren't surprised by the differences, and cautioned the complexity of the state system may create problems from seemingly easy solutions. Everyone interviewed, however, spoke of the gravity of the looming fiscal crisis.
Gov. David Paterson will give his assessment of New York's economy at 1 p.m. Wednesdsay in the annual State of the State address.
The state is facing an unprecedented $40 billion budget gap over the next three years. Paterson will release a 2010-11 budget proposal this month, and is expected to call for spending cuts because of a $7 billion to $9 billion budget deficit.
Salaries for state workers and elected officials were a favorite target for local residents looking to curtail spending.
"I would definitely cut back on some of the state employees' salaries," said Deborah Finkelstein, 45.
Unionized public workers are expected to receive raises of 4 percent this year as part of their current contracts, despite the state's fiscal woes.
Paterson sought to lay off 8,700 state employees in March, but agreed with unions instead to an early retirement program and a less generous pension plan for new government workers.
Tracking spending
George Love, 51, of Newburgh said politicians should take the salaries they were making five years ago, as many people in the private sector have also taken pay cuts.Full story