Assembly Hearings Examine Proposed Budget Cuts and Assess Impact of Global Financial Crisis on State’s Economy

NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY

Assemblyman Herman D. Farrell, Jr.
Chair, Ways and Means Committee
Legislative Office Building
Room 923, Albany, New York 12248

For Immediate Release:
November 14, 2008

Assembly Hearings Examine Proposed
Budget Cuts and Assess
Impact of Global Financial Crisis on State’s Economy

Ways and Means Committee Chair Herman D. Farrell, Jr., convened on Thursday and Friday, November 13 and 14, Assembly hearings that reviewed the impact of the global economic crisis on the state budget and examined Gov. David Paterson’s proposed budget modifications.

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Herman D. Farrell, Jr., (Second from left) and other members of the committee listen to testimony at a two-day Assembly public hearing on the global economic crisis and the Governor’s proposed budget reductions.

Farrell and members of the Ways and Means Committee heard additional testimony from groups representing public employees, health, education, business organizations, advocacy groups and economists in order to gather input on the state’s long-term economic outlook.

Last week, the Assembly issued a mid-year report on economic forecast and revenues for New York State, which projects even larger budget gaps than the Executive in current and future years.

click image to view document

Expert Testimony (click photo to view testimony) For more testimony from both days click here

Thursday, November 13 ‘The spending cuts need to be balanced’ Ron Deutsch, Executive Director, New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness ‘State needs to improve its business climate to spur private investment’ Brian McMahon, Executive Director, New York State Economic Counsel ‘Social services must be maintained’ Lisa Allison, Program Director, New York State Community Action Association ‘Bronx families are struggling’ Shelly Nortz, Deputy Executive Director of Policy, Coalition for the Homeless 'Shared sacrifice must be expected' Marina Marcou-O'Malley, Policy Analyst, Alliance for Quality Education	Friday, November 14 ‘State employees are already doing more with less’ Fran Turner, Director of Legislative and Political Action Dept., Civil Service Employees Association ‘Working families need government to restore confidence’ Mike Neidle, Deputy Legislative Director, AFL-CIO ‘Mid-year school aid cuts would be devastating’ Steve Allinger, Director of Legislation, NYSUT ‘Counties need state help to weather perfect storm’ Stephen Acquario, Executive Director, NYS Association of Counties 'If counties can't afford to operate nursing homes, who can?' Kathleen Jimino, Rensselaer County Executive

Ways & Means Committee Members (click text to view testimony)
	Assemblyman Herman D. Farrell Q&A with Stephen Acquario Q&A with Brian McMahon
	Assemblywoman Aurelia Greene Q&A with Shelly Nortz
	Assemblywoman Earlene Hooper Q&A with Ron Deutsch
	Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry Q&A with Mike Neidle Q&A with Steve Allinger
	Assemblyman Sam Hoyt Q&A with Ron Deutsch
	Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito Q&A with Kenneth Adams
	Assemblyman Felix Ortiz Q&A with KenBrynien
	Assemblyman William Colton Q&A with Ron Deutsch
	Assemblyman Michael Spano Q&A with Ron Deutsch

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