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NYS Seal For Immediate Release:
January 16, 2007

 

Silver, Spitzer Bruno Agree To Significant Budget Reform Measures


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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.