Cahill Questions Governor’s Proposal to Cut Funding for Shared Services

State should be doing more to help streamline costs during tough economic times

February 10, 2010

Albany – Assemblymember Kevin Cahill (D-Ulster, Dutchess), stressing the need for government to cut costs through efficiency and consolidation, questioned Governor Paterson’s decision to gut the Shared Services Fund by nearly half in recent amendments to his Executive Budget proposal. The Fund provides grants for local governments to explore and implement ways to save money through coordinated cooperation without harming vital public services.

“The Governor’s proposal to cut shared service grants is pennywise and pound foolish given our current budget short fall and the sour economy,” said Assemblymember Cahill. “On one hand the Executive is proposing steep cuts to school districts and local governments and with the other he his taking away tools that will help them reduce their costs.”

This year, Assemblymember Cahill has introduced legislation to require the development of shared services and consolidation plans for school districts. The 21st Century Schools Act (A.9510) would maximize the use of BOCES, increase cooperative participation and expand regional approaches to big ticket items like transportation and special education. A recent report by Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli estimated that the state could save close to $400 million if school districts took better advantage of back-office services already offered by BOCES.

“Our education system is outdated and doesn’t use modern economies of scale to find savings for taxpayers. My bill could save hundreds of millions of dollars while preserving the quality and local character of our schools,” said Assemblymember Cahill.

The measure would create an implementation board modeled after the successful Commission on Health Care Facilities, better known as the Berger Commission. The 21st Century Schools Commission would examine school district boundaries, assure the goals of modernization, educational excellence, efficiency and cost reduction while enhancing the local character and control of our schools.

“This is not another powerless blue ribbon panel,” said Assemblymember Cahill. “My plan calls for input from local activists, parents, teachers, administrators, taxpayers and other education advocates and actually puts their ideas to work. The Commission’s report would automatically go into effect unless voted down in the entirety by the Legislature.”

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