A look at the growth of the New York state budget since Democrat Mario Cuomo took office in 1983 as governor, Republican George Pataki took over in 1995, Democrat Eliot Spitzer became governor in 2007, and Democrat David Paterson became governor in March of 2008:
Fiscal Year
Total Budget
Increase
1982-83
$25
ALBANY— Based on initial information regarding the budget now
being finalized by Governor Paterson and the State Legislature, the FY
2009 budget would appear to be a lost opportunity for New York to move
toward much needed budget discipline. Additionally, The Business Council
is concerned that the spending increases and new taxes and fees included
in this budget have the potential to put our state at a competitive disadvantage
at a time when our local economy especially Upstate can ill afford
further obstacles
ALBANY— The Business Council has launched the third wave in its media blitz to state lawmakers, calling for additional reductions in state spending and no new taxes or fees in the FY09 budget.
The Council's “Tough Budget Choices” radio ad began playing in the Albany media market this morning, calling on lawmakers and the Governor to reduce spending in the state budget by making the same kind of difficult budget choices that legislatures in other states have done
State legislative leaders and Governor David Paterson announced
late Thursday that they have reached agreement on a “framework”
of a budget deal for New York State. This deal would not include the Assembly's
plan to raise the income tax on those earning more than $1 million
The Senate Republicans and Assembly Democrats each introduced an alternative budget plan this week. The Senate's came out in the form of a legislative resolution, while the Assembly introduced amended versions of the Governor's budget bills. Both the Senate resolution and the Assembly budget bills were approved by their respective houses this week
As we move through this difficult transition, we must redouble our efforts
to address the pressing needs of New York State and its economy in these
challenging times. We look forward to working with incoming Governor Paterson
and the leaders of the legislature to implement policies that will increase
economic growth, create jobs and strengthen communities across the state
ALBANY—The Business Council is applauding the Senate Majority for its attempts to rein in spending and its announcement that it will reject both the $1.7 billion in tax and fee increases included in the Executive Budget, and the Assembly Majority's proposed $1.5 billion increase in the state's personal income tax
ALBANY—The Business Council opposes the Assembly Majority's
plan to impose a personal income tax hike on upper-income New Yorkers.
Raising $1.5 billion more through tax increases would only make it easier
for the state to avoid facing, and fixing, its real budget problem—excessive
spending
ALBANY— A new Business Council survey will help determine how much
New York employers have saved on their workers' compensation premiums
after last year's historic reforms to the program.
The one-page survey, which has been sent to all Business Council members
and is open to non members as well, asks respondents whether or not their
business saw savings from the reforms and how much they saved
ALBANY— Finding ways to reduce the escalating cost of health care
for business will be the focus of the 2008 Small Business Day, March 27
at the Empire State Convention Center in Albany.
Small Business Day, which is being co-sponsored this year by the Business
Council of New York State with the National Federation of Independent
Business (NFIB), the Chamber Alliance of New York State (CANYS), and the
New York Main Street Small Business Coalition, is an annual event designed
to give small-business operators an opportunity to network with each other
and discuss priority issues with key lawmakers and staff