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The Senate's Turn
December 2nd, 2009

The Assembly worked late last night into the wee hours of the morning, passing a deficit reduction plan,  Tier V pension reform and a same-sex marriage bill.

The Senate recessed but has returned this morning ready to vote on all those things and even a public authorities reform bill.  It was fairly smooth sailing for the Assembly despite the late hour. The same-sex marriage bill passed 88-51.

Things aren’t likely to be as easy in the Senate. That body is currently standing at ease while committee meetings are held. Senators are still being lobbied hard to support same-sex marriage.

Democrats need around 30 votes to hope to pass the bill with Republican support. Senate leadership has consistently insisted that the bill would not be considered until there were enough votes to pass it. Today same-sex marriage is officially on the Senate’s agenda.

Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson has been confident that the deficit reduction plan will pass without trouble despite his slim majority.

So what kind of deficit reduction plan did the Assembly actually pass last night?

The plan saves money by:

  • Cutting $485 million from state agencies;
  • 12.5 percent in cuts in remaining local assistance grants;
  • $107 million worth of trimming to health care;
  • A 5 percent cut in aid to CUNY, SUNY and community colleges;

The plan also sweeps $326 million in funds in from agencies including the Battery Park Authority, the Dormitory Authority and the Environmental Protection Fund.

The plan also utilizes $391 million in federal stimulus funds for education that were allotted for next year and $250 million from a tax amnesty program.

The overall package only totals around $2.7 billion in cuts — way short of the deficit which is estimated to be nearly $4 billion dollars.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver admitted as much in a press release announcing the plan’s passage.

“We have reached consensus with the Governor and Senate to close a $2.7 billion gap in this year’s budget. Although these cuts do not cover the full scope of the deficit – which may be as high as $3.9 billion – we remain committed to making the same sacrifices that everyday New Yorkers have been making already, without allowing the cuts to fall disproportionately on one segment of the population,” said Silver. “Today’s agreement includes real recurring cuts in state spending. These were difficult choices to make, but critical to the fiscal stability of our state.”

By David King on December 2, 2009, 11:48 am
In category: Albany, Eye on Albany | No Comments »

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