PEP, March 2005: Pataki plan cuts apple to the core

Gov. George E. Pataki’s $105.5 billion state budget proposal is loaded with cuts to vital services like public education, transportation, health care and Medicaid.

Although the governor would increase overall spending by $2.5 billion, he projects a $4.2 billion deficit for 2005-06.

To close the gap, the governor would chop about $1 billion from Medicaid and Family Health Plus, which provides health insurance to the poor. The city’s Health and Hospitals Corp. would lose $275 million, cities would have to pay a larger share of the costs — about $5 billion for NYC alone — and adults in FHP would lose all mental health, dental care and private-duty nursing services. The governor would slap FHP participants with a $250 co-payment for hospital visits.

Although the proposal increases state education aid by $526 million, with $280 million for New York City public schools, it fails to provide for the school aid reformulations won by the Campaign for Fiscal Equity to give a million city school children a better quality education.

The state university system would have to hike tuition by 14 percent, about $500 per student, and CUNY would need an increase of about $250 per student.

While the budget would defund a $16 billion road repair program, Pataki announced a far-fetched plan to lease bridges, highways and even subways to corporations, which could charge tolls.

“This is one of the worst budgets we have seen. We’re going to fight for alternatives that provide adequate funding for Medicaid, health care and education,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts. “The governor’s cuts would strain our members who run city hospitals and clinics and feed and watch over city school children. The proposed budget shamelessly reduces health care options for the poorest, most needy New Yorkers, and will drastically lessen the quality of life for all.”

— Diane S. Williams