9/23/09: Unshackle Upstate Proposes More Than $9 Billion in Cuts

ALBANY, N.Y. - Unshackle Upstate has released a list of spending cuts and repeals that will immediately help to improve fiscal conditions for New York's taxpayers and employers.

The savings plan includes recommendations for immediate and long-term budget reductions, as well as suggested repeals and other long-term savings measures. The immediate cuts total $3.74 billion. They include a $2.2 billion reduction in state spending - or 3 percent of the state budget; a state payroll lag ($700 million savings) and a state workforce furlough ($840 million savings).

"It's no longer news that New York has the shameful distinction of being at - or near - the top for income taxes and the cost of doing business," said Unshackle Upstate Executive Director Brian Sampson. "Now that the Legislature is preparing to deal with a mid-year deficit of more than $2 billion, our message to lawmakers and the governor is to stay out of the pockets of taxpayers and employers."

Taxpayers are still reeling from the disastrous Deficit Reduction Plan and the 2009-10 state budget, which will cost families thousands of dollars a year in taxes, fees and assessments, and are driving employers out of business or out of New York. The DRP increased the burden on taxpayers by $1.6 billion and the state budget increased taxes, fees and assessments by $8 billion.

"We were encouraged that some lawmakers voted against this fiscally irresponsible budget," Sampson said. "We hope they can reach across party lines and come to a consensus to implement the reasonable measures we've outlined here."

Additional savings recommendations include consolidating certain back office state services such as payroll, purchasing and information technology ($250 million savings); holding school funding flat in 2010-11 ($2.2 billion); and implementing a variety of Medicaid reforms and fraud enforcement totaling $3.2 billion.

Unshackle Upstate also recommends Tier 5 pension reform originally recommended by Governor Paterson; passage of a Property Tax Cap; consolidation of local and county governments and government functions, and consolidation of school districts, as recommended by the Lundine Commission; and the creation of a Medicaid Commission. For a complete breakdown of recommended budget cuts, please click on the link below.

View Unshackle Upstate's Recommended Cuts to the 2009-10 Budget.