PEP, March 2006: Pataki budget follows Bush footprints

Gov. George E. Pataki made it déjà vu all over again in Albany as he rolled out his $110.7 billion proposed budget for 2006-7. The proposed budget would hand billions of dollars in tax breaks to business and the rich and rob billions from the services working families and the poor rely on, such as education, libraries, Medicaid and public health care.

Pataki will be leaving the state with $49.4 billion in debt, $13 billion more than when he came into office 12 years ago.

“We have a $2-billion-dollar state surplus and still the governor wants massive cuts that would force us to do less with less,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts. “The budget cuts will hurt our members and most New Yorkers.”

The budget would again shortchange New York City public school children, giving them a token $375 million instead of the $5.6 billion a year for operational costs and $9.2 billion over five years for school construction that the Campaign for Fiscal Equity court decision requires. To date, Pataki has spent more than $12 million to appeal the CFE decision, which mandates better funding for the city’s 1 million students. The new budget proposes adding 150 charter schools, a form of educational privatization.

“The budget’s Workers’ Compensation proposal is part of Pataki’s anti-worker plan,” said DC 37 Political Action Director Wanda Williams. It would cut comp payments to injured workers and let drug and insurance companies control the fund.

The governor’s proposed Pension Task Force is another anti-worker scheme that would lead to a Tier 5, with reduced benefits. The budget’s early retirement incentive — restricted to 400 managers, including many political appointees — would eliminate the positions, leaving no opportunity for promotions for union members, Williams added.

Breaking a promise
The plan would cut $2.6 million from library funding and renege on the governor’s promise to aid working families by eliminating the sales tax on clothing and shoes that cost under $110. Instead, he offers two tax-free weeks a year on clothing costing less than $250.

Tuition at SUNY would increase by $500 and CUNY would cost $300 more under the plan. The budget’s $400 school tax rebate for school districts that limit spending increases appears to be targeted to help homeowners in the suburbs, not the five boroughs.

“Governor Pataki’s budget is riddled with problems. Part of the plan would buy off parents with a tax credit of up to $500 per child for those who earn under $75,000 and live in districts with failing schools,” said DC 37 Political Director Wanda Williams. “We’d rather see public schools get more funding so our children can succeed. You can’t put a price on that.”

— Diane S. Williams