by Andrew Henderson

The New York State Assembly Republicans offered solutions to closing the state’s $3.2 billion budget deficit during a news conference earlier this week in Albany.

Governor David Paterson called a special session of the legislature last week to tackle the state’s growing debt. As of press time, the legislature had not acted on the matter.

“Albany’s continued inaction only allows the budget deficit to grow,” said area Republican Assemblyman Will Barclay. “The legislature must take action.”

Assemblyman Barclay and his Republican colleagues offered ways to cut the budget gap. The Republicans’ deficit-reduction proposal potentially saves the Empire State $3.7 billion in the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2010.

“We’re in Albany in special sessions for the second week in a row to close the budget gap,” said Assemblyman Barclay. “So far, however, our leaders have taken no action and seem to be talking about everything but the budget. I have, again, presented solutions to Gov. Paterson’s deep cuts to school and municipal funding.

“This list has been submitted to the governor for consideration and I’m hopeful that the majority leaders will put forth their suggestions so that all affected by mid-year cuts can plan accordingly,” he added.

Assemblyman Barclay and his colleagues offered the following initiatives that they said will close the budget gap:

• Cut non-essential personal services such as travel, postage, subscriptions, and vehicles, which would save $500 million.

• Cut contract balances by 5 percent. The state spends roughly $129 billion on contracts, which range from subscriptions to temp-agency services. By reducing this expenditure by 5 percent, the state would save roughly $300 million.

• Reduce the amount of money set aside to purchase private lands by $30 million.

• Add to the governor’s administrative savings plan to save $169 million.

• Trim agency cash balances—excluding Medicaid, school aid, aid to municipalities, and libraries—by 12.5 percent rather than 10 percent to save an additional $120 million.

• Continue to refinance bonds and debt for an additional $24 million in savings.

“Our state reached its tax threshold long ago,” said Assemblyman Barclay, who voted against the budget. “The budget passed in the spring was too much for people to bear; on top of the unsustainable growth in government spending, new taxes and fees were added. It’s no surprise that we’re back here, in this economic climate, trying to close a budget deficit.”

Assemblyman Dave Townsend said New York City legislators must act on the deficit.

“For months, I have warned Governor Paterson and his inner circle of New York City legislators that their spending spree spelled doom for the Empire State,” said Assemblyman Townsend. “The massive $132 billion state budget, with over $8 billion in new and increased taxes and fees on hard-working upstate families and businesses, was a time bomb planted deep within New York’s finances. This bomb is ready to detonate.”

He added, “Meanwhile, David Paterson and his do-nothing majority in the state legislature are defending mandatory license plates and arguing with each other. I am supporting a deficit-reduction plan which would save us $3.7 billion over the next five months without targeting our school districts, hospitals, and other local services for drastic mid-year cuts that would require unfair job losses at the county and municipal levels. Nuisance taxes like $25 license-plate fees do not represent the serious reforms upstate New Yorkers deserve.”

Area Assemblyman Bob Oaks added, “Back in March, when the governor and downstate legislative leaders created this irresponsible budget in total secrecy, I warned that the billions of dollars in extra spending and the job killing tax and fee increases would cause a budgetary shortfall and hurt taxpayers. Once the governor began acknowledging that there was a large shortfall, I have been working with my colleagues to find logical, sensible ideas to address our budget problems.

“I believe our proposals are realistic and balance the demands of taxpayers who feel enough is enough and the needs of the state’s top funding priorities, education and health care,” added Assemblyman Oaks.