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March 9, 2005
Leaders Agree On Revenue Estimate But Not On Closing the Budget Gap; Insiders Say Pataki Is Losing Politically in This Year's Budget Battles
Governor Pataki and legislative leaders agreed this week that $1.167 billion more in state revenues will be available for this year's budget than the Governor claimed would be just a month and a half ago. The state budget gap is just below $3 billion -- an amount that could be overcome easily with several modest steps, including negotiating prices and bulk buying drugs, reforming corporate income tax rates and shelters, and increasing marginal tax rates for the richest households.
Instead, Pataki wants to cut Medicaid benefits, HIV/AIDS services, funding for front-line health care providers and welfare programs, and raise tuition for college students.
Insiders say the Governor is losing the political argument over this year's budget. Pataki has suffered his lowest poll ratings ever. Surveys show New Yorkers would prefer modest tax increases on the wealthiest instead of big health care and service cuts. And scandals of all sizes continue to nibble away at the Governor's public persona.
Again, Assembly Democrats are sticking up for health care funding, AIDS programs, services for the poor and elderly. They appear dug in for a fight past the upcoming April 1 state budget deadline. Powerful health care union Local 1199 and allies plan statewide events in early April to protest the Pataki budget, and they've prepared tough anti-Pataki TV ads to battle the man they endorsed for reelection a few short years ago.
Housing Works clients and staff have been continuing week-by-week advocacy in Albany to argue for restoration of the Pataki AIDS and welfare cuts and for new initiatives to shore up AIDS adult day health care programs and HIV/AIDS prevention and care programs in the community and in correctional facilities. For more information or to get involved, email Mark Hayes at hayes@housingworks.org.