Silver, Gov. Spitzer and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno announced major reforms to the state budget process.
"With this agreement, we move our state’s budget process into the 21^st Century with a strong constitutional emphasis
on mutual respect between the executive and legislative branches in forging a fiscal plan for our state. We will continue to rely
upon the joint conference committees, and we will have a more transparent, more easily understood budget process,"
said Silver at a Capitol news conference with Spitzer and Bruno.
Highlights of the budget-reform package include designating the state comptroller to resolve disputes over revenue projections;
preparing ‘plain language’ impact statements on spending programs, including local governments; itemizing ‘lump sum’
appropriations, including ‘member items’; and resolving budget bill disagreements through joint conference committees.
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