Assemblyman
Marc Butler




Marc Butler Working Towards A Less Intrusive, More Efficient Government


Dear Neighbor,

No area of public policy in New York State better demonstrates the need for reform than the state budget process. Late budgets have hindered the state’s finances for nearly two decades and have a tendency to be brokered at the last minute with little if any public involvement.

It is not only the state’s finances that suffer because of late budgets. School districts are denied data that they need to provide information about spending and tax rates to their voters. Municipalities are forced to borrow money to continue critical services. Costs increase for companies that contract with the state while the construction season is shortened. Non-profit organizations experience a tremendous strain on planning and may have to cut or curtail services.

For years, I have expressed frustration with the budget process and have offered real solutions to solve these problems. It’s time we act.

Real government reform can restore public trust and confidence in government. That is the best legacy that any elected Legislature can leave to future generations.


Key provisions of the Butler budget reform plan include:

  • Establishing a binding revenue forecast- This would allow intervention by the state Comptroller if the Legislature cannot achieve revenue consensus;

  • Permanently establishing budget conference committees-This would ensure open, public debate of revenue and spending issues;

  • Creating a default budget process period- This would direct that if a budget agreement is not in place within 72 hours of the April 1 deadline, the previous year’s budget would automatically go into effect;

  • Prohibiting action on non-budget related bills- Action on bills not directly related to the budget would be prohibited if the budget were not adopted on time (Since 1995, the Assembly has passed nearly 3,100 one-house bills without a budget in place).

  • Prohibiting the use of "lump sum" disbursements-Increasingly, the Legislature has used "lump sums" to disburse sizeable amounts of tax dollars without public disclosure of the recipients of that spending. Open disclosure would help restore confidence and build support for worthwhile programs.


Contact Assemblyman Butler:
 235 North Prospect Street • Suite 101 • Herkimer, New York 13350
(315) 866-1632

Johnstown City Hall, 33-41 East Main Street • Johnstown, New York 12095
(518) 762-6486

318 LOB • Albany, NY 12248
(518) 455-5393

Email: butlerm@assembly.state.ny.us

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