Assemblymember Cahill’s Statement on Budget Actions

November 5, 2008

Assemblymember Kevin Cahill (D – Ulster, Dutchess) announced that the Legislature and the Governor have agrees to significant cuts in state spending. In all, the Legislature acted to reduce spending by over $400 million for the current fiscal year and nearly $1 billion next year.

“Like the countless families across New York who are facing uncertain economic times, we did what had to be done to get the State’s finances back on track,” said Assemblymember Cahill. “We were able to stop the bleeding, and in doing so, we were careful not to cut programs that would shift the burden onto property taxpayers, cripple essential services or threaten the quality of our education system.”

“Now it is important that we use this economic crisis as an opportunity to completely reassess the way the government functions in New York State,” urged Mr. Cahill. “Our actions should mark the beginning of a continuing conversation about how best to innovate and economize at all levels of government in order to create a more efficient and less costly system without compromising our core responsibilities to the people of New York.”

Assemblymember Cahill also pointed to home heating assistance and property taxes as two critical issues that still remain unresolved.

“In dealing with the State’s economic troubles, we cannot forget the extreme pressures New York families are facing with ever-escalating property taxes and home heating costs that are expected to reach record highs this winter,” said Mr. Cahill. “These two issues are literally threatening the health, safety and vibrancy of our communities and it is our responsibility to take meaningful action to ease these burdens.”

In June, the Assembly passed legislation (A.11590), introduced by Assemblymember Cahill, to provide an additional $550 million to enhance the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and $250 million for energy conservation measures and home energy efficient programs. The Assembly also passed a tax cap in a special session that would provide immediate tax cuts for the majority of middle-income homeowners, and cap the amount of property taxes paid based on household income (A.11838). The proposal, known as a circuit breaker, would also apply to renters.

“The Assembly has acted on two proposals that will provide significant and timely relief for households struggling under the weight of both property taxes and heating costs,” said Mr. Cahill. “Now we have to get the Senate and the Governor to the table to work out our differences and come to a compromise that meets the needs of our communities.”

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