Archive
Assemblyman Herman D. Farrell – Report on NYS Budget
…and this month in Albany
Assemblyman Herman D. Farrell
We are nearly a month into Fiscal Year 2010-11 and the Assembly’s leadership remains engaged with the Governor and the Senate, who are continuing to oppose our proposal to partially restore education aid cuts proposed by the Governor in response to a dramatic contraction in tax receipts following the Wall Street crash of 2007/2008. While we are working toward a mutually acceptable solution to our fiscal problems, we are providing for the State’s monetary needs by passing what are called extenders, which I call continuing resolutions. On Monday, we passed a fourth extender bill which will pay for our State’s basic needs until next week. No Assembly member or Senator will be paid until a budget passes. On a more positive note, we have convinced the Governor to include funds for capital construction projects including the Alexander Hamilton Bridge in these extenders, funds he had threatened to withhold.
At the crux of our negotiations are two basic problems: reaching consensus on all aspects of the budget including what must be cut, and convincing the Governor to send us new language covering important areas of the budget. We hope this new language will differ from his original language which included cuts and policy shifts. Because he chose to weave appropriations into Article VII language, based on recent court rulings we do not have the option of amending his budget language to simply remove proposals we do not support, stifling Legislative input into the operations of State government and producing a late budget. In the coming days, you may hear a lot about June 1, which is the statutory deadline by which the State must make some of its largest payouts of education and health care aid and other monies. Though it is not uncommon for us to release these funds early, the Governor said recently that the State’s cash flow issues would force him to delay this payment until the statutory deadline, as he did with school aid last year, and threatened to do so again if he felt it necessary. By doing so he apparently intends to create a pressure point intended to force us to support the Governor’s point of view with regard to budget cuts.
Though some claim our State is in this position because of historic overspending that led to a systemic budgetary imbalance, in truth we are under the gun because of Wall Street’s greed and Washington’s unwillingness to regulate the financial markets, which led to the crash of late 2007/early 2008. When the financial markets based here in New York City collapsed, markets that had been the source of one out of every five tax dollars collected in our State, a chain reaction began that touched all aspects of our economy. This led to a violently negative effect on State revenues, meaning that very suddenly we had much less to spend than in other years. This led some in Albany to call for dramatic change.
In his Executive Budget, the Governor took the position that because of the financial crisis, deep and painful cuts would have to be made, including the largest areas of State spending, which are education and health care. He proposed to cut school aid and health care spending by over $1 billion each, plus many other cuts, to help close a projected budget gap of over $9 billion. Last month, in their “one-house” budget resolution, the Senate essentially accepted the Governor’s argument and supported most of his cuts despite their earlier rhetoric to the contrary as well as the fact that deep cuts to schools and hospitals would undo much of what we have accomplished with respect to those institutions in recent years.
The Assembly’s “one-house” resolution, which we unveiled March 24, accepted many of the Governor’s proposed health care cuts but restored $126 million in health care funding the Governor had cut. We scaled back his $1.4 billion cut to school aid by restoring $600 million, meaning State aid to schools would be cut by only $800 million compared to 2009-10. In total, our budget plan, which we feel to be the most realistic and responsible of the three plans now on the table, would cut $4.3 billion in spending and raise $1 billion in revenue. We also agreed to support many of the long-term budget reforms proposed by Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch, including bonding out $2 billion annually for the next three years. We are discussing elements of the Ravitch plan which includes a transition to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, creation of a financial oversight board that would have significant power over the State budget, and strict timetables to be followed in case of revenue shortfalls such as those which continue to bedevil our State. Some of these reforms have not found support with either the Governor or the Senate.
Though elements of the Executive Budget were sound and realistic, our Conference felt it would ill serve our State in the long term by cutting vital services in a manner likely to cause lasting harm. In particular we felt the proposed school aid cuts were not acceptable. We also came to the conclusion that unrealistic revenue expectations could be equally harmful to our State, a position that the Governor appears to share.
A Senate plan to borrow $700 million against anticipated revenue from the tobacco settlement reached several years ago, and use those monies to plug the budget hole, has not found favor with the Governor. The Senate plan also appears to have rejected outright many of Lt. Gov. Ravitch’s suggestions, though the Senate released a draft budget reform package that includes GAAP and changing the State Fiscal Year calendar along with other ideas our Conference has not yet supported. Further complicating our discussions, our positions also differ on revenue estimates and suggested revenue raisers like a plan to sell wine in grocery stores and a plan to tax some sugary beverages. Representatives of the Assembly, Senate and Executive have been meeting in search of a compromise, and these talks will continue.
Having taken these varying positions with respect to revenues and expenditures, as well as the overall size and direction of State government, the three parties to negotiation must now find a way to reconcile our thinking and put together a uniform and cohesive plan for our State during Fiscal Year 2010-11. Until all three parties come to an agreement, it is likely that our government will continue to run based on a series of budget extenders that will infuse short-term funding on a stopgap, cyclical basis to keep the lights on and State employees and their families fed until a final version of this year’s budget is adopted.
According to some accounts of our negotiations, little progress has been made. This is incorrect. Until recently, the Governor had refused to include in these continuing resolutions any funding for capital projects such as the rehabilitation of the Alexander Hamilton Bridge on I-95. As I said earlier, the Governor has changed his mind on this matter, and will release federal funds that will be used to rebuild the bridge, avoiding further delays. I will continue to report to you as our budget negotiations develop.
For the latest word from Albany, including information on the budget and other issues, as well as goings-on here at home, please visit my page on the Assembly Web site, http://www.assembly.state.ny.us, my Facebook page, or follow me on Twitter @dennyfarrell71a#.
Yours truly,
Herman D. Farrell, Jr.
NYSR – A Look At How Senators Relate in Albany
April 27, 2010
Lewis Burgess
The scene is in the Senate Chamber where there is a discussion on the fourth extender bill before the Senate votes to pass or not. The context is not a discussion about the budget, budget items or budget negotiations. It is time to discuss and vote on Bill 7605 before the Senate. But political frustration comes to the floor and takes over for 17 minutes and 51 seconds as seen in the videos below. The full uncut Senate video is found here. The Bill 7605 section begins approximately at 1:36:20 and ends with the bill passing at 2:13:32.
In the first video, on April 26th, Senator John DeFrancisco asks Senator Carl Kruger, Senate Finance Chair, a series of questions that aim to start an open conversation about the status and content of budget negotiations. Amazingly, Senator DeFrancisco admits that the only thing he knows about the current negotiations is from rumors and from what he reads in news articles such as those found in the Ithaca Journal. There is not a great deal of information there. So, this means that if we read news reports online and in print, ordinary citizens around the State know as much or more than Senator DeFrancisco and perhaps a host other Senators on both sides of the aisle. How is that possible?
Senator Kruger’s reticent responses to the questions indicate that such open discussions in a public Senate venue are not part of the budget negotiation process during the bill approving process. Senator Kruger patiently and reservedly responds but does not answer Senator DeFranscisco’s questions to that Senator’s satisfaction or to anyone’s satisfaction for that matter.
In the second video, Senator DeFrancisco expresses his dissatisfaction with Senator Kruger’s answers as non-responsive and goes on to criticize the current budget process and the Democrats. Senator Kruger rises to defend himself and interjects to get a chance to point out that the purpose they are about at the moment is to vote for or against the emergency extender Bill S.7605 that will appropriate funds for state payroll, payroll taxes, government operations, school aid, road construction, unemployment insurance, Medicaid, and medical care and assistance. Senator Kruger warns that failure to support the bill and not voting yea for it is an irresponsible act. DeFrancisco does not answer Kruger’s questions directly, says he will not support the extender in the current process of budget negotiations and instead argues for open, public, lawful budget negotiations and will support the extender if that happens. Kruger brings up the case of Michigan’s failure to approve an extender and the immediate consequences that followed four hours afterwards.
In the third video, the debate at cross purposes continues but with only DeFrancisco continuing on with the focus on the irresponsibility of the Democratic Majority. He will vote no, encourages others to do so on the basis of the closed door budget process and not the merits or necessity of the extender bill. The negative vote is not a vote against the extender, but a protest against the existing budget process with closed door meetings and in opposition to the 2007 reforms.
In the uncut version, Senator John Flanagan and Senator Carl Marcellino ask questions, argue facts, protest the closed door process, lack of information, open dialogue, and “three men in a room” and say they will vote against the bill.
The bill eventually passes 44-17.
Budget negotiations remain a closed door, deadlocked affair.
Nothing has changed.
WHERE ARE WE NOW?
Other than approving a fourth extender bill that will fund the state payroll through May 2, authorize $2.57 billion in education aid, allocate $40 million for federally funded road construction projects, and distribute hundreds of millions for government operations, unemployment insurance, Medicaid, and medical care and assistance, Legislators and the Governor are deadlocked.
Governor Paterson adamantly insists on his spending cuts and increases in revenues (tax on beverage syrup and cigarettes and wine sales in grocery stores) and no borrowing whatsoever to close the $9.2 billion deficit. He is now calling for a yes/no vote on the newest version of his Executive Budget.
The Democratic Assembly and Senate do not accept the extent of Governor Paterson’s cuts to education, healthcare, parks, etc. and his revenue generating proposals to the tune of $3.2 billion. There is also no agreement between the Senate and Assembly on what to cut and by how much and how to raise revenues. The debate about borrowing up to $2 billion dollars to close the budget gap and borrowing (refinancing tobacco bonds) to distribute a property tax rebate to seniors goes on.
The Republicans are saying no to the whole deal making budget process and feel kicked out and voted down and are dropping out with complaint and some with finger pointing. Special interest groups are lobbying hard and the looming election has legislators considering their futures now in fear and in relation to Andrew Cuomo’s possible bid to become Governor. Add the usual opaqueness that surrounds Albany legislative wheeling and dealing to all of the above and we citizens see a dysfunctional state government in inaction with only tid bits of info about what is actually going on in Albany. This same story has been repeated almost verbatim for the past 27 days.
Even so, we have to weigh in for our interests. We cannot be complacent. Our voices must be loud and clear now.
WHAT CAN I DO?
Call – Call and write Governor David Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson and tell them not to cut Riverbank; too many people will suffer for so little gain. Help your family, relatives and friends to make calls to the Governor and these legislators. Their contact info is below.
Sign – Sign the petition at the Park and online – have others do the same
Buy – Buy a “Save Riverbank” t-shirt and wear it – spread the word.
Become a Facebook Fan – http://tinyurl.com/yhmlbb8
VOLUNTEER! – save.riverbank@yahoo.com
GOVERNOR DAVID PATERSON
Email/web contact page: http://www.state.ny.us/governor/contact/GovernorContactForm.php
Mailing Address:
State Capital
Albany, New York 12224
518-474-8390
ASSEMBLYMAN SHELDON SILVER
Speaker of the New York State Assembly
Email address:speaker@assembly.state.ny.us
web contact page: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=064&sh=contact
District Office
250 Broadway
Suite 2307
New York, NY 10007
Tel: 212-312-1420
Albany Office
Legislative Office Building 932
Albany, NY 12248
Tel: 518-455-3791
SENATOR JOHN L. SAMPSON
Democratic Conference Leader
Email address: sampson@senate.state.ny.us
web contact page: http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/john-l-sampson/contact
District Office:
1222 East 96th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11236
Tel: 718-649-7653
Fax: 718-649-7661
Albany Office:
409 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
Tel: 518-455-2788
Fax: 518-426-6806
Sample Telephone Script 1:
Hi, my name is (your name) and I’m calling from (your address). Please say NO! to ALL of the proposed cuts to Riverbank State Park. Riverbank contributes to our mental, social and physical well-being as well as the local economy. Please know that Riverbank is a part of my way of life and my family’s and not simply a park that we occasionally visit. That’s why I urge you to restore all Riverbank funding, hours and programming. Thank you.
Sample Telephone Script 2:
Hi, my name is (your name) and I’m calling from (your address). Please say NO! to ALL of the proposed cuts to Riverbank State Park. Riverbank was built to compensate the surrounding community for the unsightly and (still sometimes) SMELLY sewage treatment plant, which cuts it off from the Hudson for half a mile. The State MUST HONOR this compact; it’s not a favor! Thanks.
Press Release – Governor Paterson Calls on Legislature to Pass Executive Budget, Outlines Gap Closing Plan
APRIL 27, 2010
by New York State Office of the Governor
Governor David A. Paterson today called on the Legislature to immediately pass his proposed Executive Budget in a simple up or down vote and outlined an additional $620 million in actions that, when combined with his Executive Budget, present a fully balanced gap closing plan and will put New York on the path to fiscal recovery. Absent passage of a responsible budget, Governor Paterson will call on State lawmakers to voluntarily begin five-day sessions next week.
“Every day that passes without an enacted budget, we lose savings from the recurring spending reductions and revenue proposals that I laid out in my Executive Budget. It has been nearly four weeks since the 2010-11 State fiscal year began, and we can no longer delay making the difficult decisions required to put the State back on path toward fiscal stability,” Governor Paterson said. “New Yorkers deserve to know that their elected officials are working diligently to protect the State’s finances, and the fiscal situation demands our full attention. If the Legislature does not stay in Albany to pass a budget, I will be forced to consider all of my options at that time, including compelling them to stay.”
Governor Paterson put forward a balanced Executive Budget on January 19 and made amendments to his plan on February 9. Since then, an additional $620 million gap has emerged that must be addressed in the 2010-11 fiscal year. While State law requires the Governor to put forward an Executive Budget each year, the Legislature is empowered to enact additional spending reductions as necessary and no additional Executive Budget plan is required for the Legislature to act.
In an effort to spur Legislative action on the budget, Governor Paterson has proposed additional measures to close the $620 million gap. This plan includes approximately $324 million in additional spending reductions – approximately $100 million of which were proposed by the Legislature, – $211 million in revenue actions and $85 million in other actions. The Governor called upon the Legislature to take up his budget proposal, or to immediately identify and enact alternative means for closing the deficit that rely on real, recurring actions.
“As elected representatives, it is our job to make the difficult decisions that may be unpopular today, but that will help us turn the corner on this crisis,” the Governor added. “Budgeting requires discipline and sacrifice. New Yorkers have already sacrificed a great deal; we must now enact a responsible budget that honors that sacrifice.”
For the past four weeks, Governor Paterson has put forward bare-bones emergency budget bills that include provisions for only the minimum spending necessary to ensure the orderly operation of State government. Under the provisions of his emergency budget bills, the Governor has suspended a scheduled four percent salary increase for most State employees and halted State funding for capital construction projects, among other actions.
For additional information about the Governor’s $620 million gap closing plan please click here.
—————– JOIN US! ——————-
JOIN US IN THE CHALLENGE TO SAVE RIVERBANK!
Updated April 27, 2010
Lewis Burgess
WHERE ARE WE NOW?
Other than approving a fourth extender bill that will fund the state payroll through May 6, authorize $2.57 billion in education aid and allocate $40 million for federally funded road construction projects, legislators and the Governor are deadlocked.
Governor Paterson adamantly insists on his spending cuts and increases in revenues (tax on beverage syrup and cigarettes and wine sales in grocery stores) and no borrowing whatsoever to close the $9.2 billion deficit. He is now calling for a yes/no vote on the newest version of his Executive Budget.
The Democratic Assembly and Senate do not accept the extent of Governor Paterson’s cuts to education, healthcare, parks, etc. and his revenue generating proposals to the tune of $3.2 billion. There is also no agreement between the Senate and Assembly on what to cut and by how much and how to raise revenues. The debate about borrowing up to $2 billion dollars to close the budget gap and borrowing (refinancing tobacco bonds) to distribute a property tax rebate to seniors goes on.
The Republicans are saying no to the whole deal making budget process and feel kicked out and voted down and are dropping out with complaint and finger pointing. Special interest groups are lobbying hard and the looming election has legislators considering their futures now in fear and in relation to Andrew Cuomo’s possible bid to become Governor. Add the usual opaqueness that surrounds Albany legislative wheeling and dealing to all of the above and we citizens see a dysfunctional state government in inaction with only tid bits of info about what is actually going on in Albany. This same story has been repeated almost verbatim for the past 27 days.
Even so, we have to weigh in for our interests. We cannot be complacent. Our voices must be loud and clear now.
WHAT CAN I DO?
Call – Call and write Governor David Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson and tell them not to cut Riverbank; too many people will suffer for so little gain. Help your family, relatives and friends to make calls to the Governor and these legislators. Their contact info is below.
Sign – Sign the petition at the Park and online – have others do the same
Buy – Buy a “Save Riverbank” t-shirt and wear it – spread the word.
Become a Facebook Fan – http://tinyurl.com/yhmlbb8
VOLUNTEER! – save.riverbank@yahoo.com
GOVERNOR DAVID PATERSON
Email/web contact page: http://www.state.ny.us/governor/contact/GovernorContactForm.php
Mailing Address:
State Capital
Albany, New York 12224
518-474-8390
ASSEMBLYMAN SHELDON SILVER
Speaker of the New York State Assembly
Email address:speaker@assembly.state.ny.us
web contact page: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=064&sh=contact
District Office
250 Broadway
Suite 2307
New York, NY 10007
Tel: 212-312-1420
Albany Office
Legislative Office Building 932
Albany, NY 12248
Tel: 518-455-3791
SENATOR JOHN L. SAMPSON
Democratic Conference Leader
Email address: sampson@senate.state.ny.us
web contact page: http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/john-l-sampson/contact
District Office:
1222 East 96th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11236
Tel: 718-649-7653
Fax: 718-649-7661
Albany Office:
409 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
Tel: 518-455-2788
Fax: 518-426-6806
Sample Telephone Script 1:
Hi, my name is (your name) and I’m calling from (your address). Please say NO! to ALL of the proposed cuts to Riverbank State Park. Riverbank contributes to our mental, social and physical well-being as well as the local economy. Please know that Riverbank is a part of my way of life and my family’s and not simply a park that we occasionally visit. That’s why I urge you to restore all Riverbank funding, hours and programming. Thank you.
Sample Telephone Script 2:
Hi, my name is (your name) and I’m calling from (your address). Please say NO! to ALL of the proposed cuts to Riverbank State Park. Riverbank was built to compensate the surrounding community for the unsightly and (still sometimes) SMELLY sewage treatment plant, which cuts it off from the Hudson for half a mile. The State MUST HONOR this compact; it’s not a favor! Thanks.
Fox News – State Parks at Risk? – In a tough economy, state parks are dealing with the risk of closing
Transcript of Video News Report: State Parks at Risk?
April 24, 2010
Watch this Fox News Report at video.foxnews.com
Jamie Colby: Families are turning to cash, are cash strapped right now it’s tough for everybody right. And so they go to state parks as a source for inexpensive family fun, nothing wrong with that. Problem is though many states are facing budget issues and some are jacking up their prices to get into these beautiful parks or they’re shutting them down all together. Laura Ingle is live at one that is open Riverbank State Park in upper Manhattan on a beautiful day.
Laura, are people there really appreciating what they have while they have it and are they concerned that someday they might not?
Laura Ingle: Absolutely, Jamie, and in fact when we came into Riverbank State Park today there was a gentleman outside wearing a t-shirt saying, Save this Park. People are very aware of it in this neighborhood in upper Manhattan and you know not everybody can afford to jet off to faraway places for their springtime and summer fun, which is why these state parks are so critical for so many people in our nation. And some lawmakers say well that they just simply don’t have a choice and are making cuts where they have to. We are going to give you a live look and push in and show you this gorgeous running track here at Riverbank State Park. The State’s Park Department is looking at reducing hours of operation for not only that track but for everything here. They’re talking about closing the swimming pool and eliminating senior citizens services so they can save a lot of money.
Now right now there are 41 state parks and fourteen historic sites in danger of being padlocked and closed in New York. Some states like Connecticut had doubled the price of camping parking and admission in state parks but the public outcry was so loud there, the state revised the hikes to 35%. California Arizona, Georgia all facing major state park cuts and in New York lawmakers say right now they just don’t have a choice.
Jennifer Kozlowski, NYS Assistant Secretary, Environment: We’re facing an historic fiscal crisis. Over 9 billion dollars we have to close in a budget gap. Umm and no area of state spending umm can can not face reductions we have to make reductions everywhere. Umm our budget proposes making cuts to schools, making cuts to health care institutions, umm, and state parks is another part of state spending.
Laura Ingle: There are approximately 2000 state parks all across the country. Gates will go down at the entrances of countless hiking trails beaches, and bike paths if the state parks that are on these lists of proposed closures happens. Now there’s a little bit of an important law that we want to note here with all of this. If a state park that receives federal funds under the Land and Water Conservation Act closes, it puts itself in jeopardy of giving up all future federal grant money.
Geoffrey Croft, NYC Parks Advocates: It’s pretty outrageous I mean it I was trying to research for actually weeks trying to find out in historically. That that even during the depression. It’s interesting I think during the depression the exact opposite happened. We actually opened up you know we tried more certain services because they were so needed. So this is actually its bizarre.
Laura Ingle: And those park advocates say that there is a solution to this problem making all state parks self sustainable and following a profit driven model.
So a lot of people like the people around this park are still waiting to find out what’s gonna happen when the state budget is all wrapped up but we’ll keep you informed. Jamie back to you
Jamie Colby: I am sure they all hope it works out. Take care, thanks.
NYSR – Do OPRHP Officials See NYS State Parks As Profit Making Businesses?
April 23, 2010
Lewis Burgess
NYS State Parks provide recreational, educational and other public services that are paid for by the citizens of New York. Our tax dollars pay the salaries and wages of state employees working on the ground in the State Parks and as well as the salaries, wages and fringe benefits of managers and administrators in offices in Albany and around the State. We trust State employees to use the our tax dollars well and efficiently as public stewards of the of NYS State Parks and as public servants providing administrative and programming services. The over 2000 public servants of the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) are the ones responsible for making sure that the lands, facilities and services under their aegis are effectively managed. This is done on our our behalf, the citizens of New York State.
A recent article by Joseph Spector of the Gannett Albany Bureau calls into question the notion that NYS State Parks provide public services. Instead, Parks are portrayed as businesses making financial profit and loss. OPRHP officials are said to have singled out NYS State Parks for closure or service reduction based on financial profit or loss. Spector writes and quotes:
“But state officials have had to take a closer look at which parks are profitable and which ones are drains on state finances amid New York’s fiscal downturn. Because of funding cuts, the state Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation and Gov. David Paterson have proposed the massive closure of 55 parks and historical sites — the first time in New York history a state park would be shuttered.
“State officials said the revenue-generating ability of each park was a factor in coming up with the closure list.”
“”We’re in the business of running parks not closing parks,” said parks spokeswoman Eileen Larrabee, but she said parks’ finances was one of the factors in deciding which ones to recommend closing.”
“For the 163 state parks that had revenue figures, they lost nearly $29 million in the 2008-09 fiscal year, which was the latest data available. In all, 23 of them earned a profit, the biggest being at Beth Page in Long Island, with a $3.5 million profit, and Niagara Falls State Park, with a $2.7 million profit. Letchworth State Park in the Finger Lakes made a slight profit of about $175,000, records show.”
This point of view is troublesome and, if analyzed closely in relation to citizen values and outcomes, absurd.
Publ
ic services are not measured by monetary dollar profit and loss alone but by cost effectiveness when considering people and cost-benefit when examining physical resources. For
example, are public services rendered by public schools, public hospitals, city and state fire and police departments, etc. measured worthy by we who pay for this according to the amount of revenues they generate or lose, by fiscal profit and loss alone? Absolutely not! They are not financially profitable. Yet, we pour billions of our tax dollars into these services. These services are not examined by citizens to see if they are monetarily profitable. We are interested in the cost effectiveness of public services. Do they serve us well.
Public services are measured by the positive or negative values and outcomes for people and society in relation to the operations or strategies employed at some monetary cost. We want to know first of all whether or not public services rendered have the desired effect. We expect to see, for example, that education fosters the appropriate development of youth for life in society, that public hospitals contribute well to the prevention of illness and restoration of health, and that police and fire departments provide protection from the destructive forces of criminal activities and preventable fires. We do not first look if these public services produce a fiscal profit or if they are losing money. What use is any public service if it produces revenue but does not serve people well? The effective rendering of positive value is our first look. In common parlance, this view is reduced to and known as “bang for the buck” where more bang for the buck or more bounce to the ounce indicates a better value for money spent.
Members of the Riverbank Redtails Swim Team
So what is the “bang” in the case of the NYS Parks? The bang is not revenues. Have you ever received a dividend or interest check from the OPRHP? The bang for us are the positive values we gain in the use of our State Parks. Through visiting and using our public State Parks we gain an understanding and appreciation of nature and young and old develop a concern to preserve it. We gain physical and mental health, individual and social well being, and physical and life skills through exercise in the open park air, via leisure activities on park grounds and preserves and through recreational and competitive sports training and competitive games in athletic facilities, fields, courts and pools. We grow closer through family and community activities , cultural and community events and exchanges and volunteer projects in beautiful park environments. We relax and rest our tired minds and bodies and restore peace to our weary souls in safe and scenic environs. These are the positive values we gain and want. The cost to produce is well run park operations and our tax dollars that make it happen. These are the “profits”of the NYS State Parks. “Losses” occur when these beneficial results do not happen. Profit, in this view, is not equivalent to revenues sought with a scrooge-like concern for the after expenses dollars and cents. In fact, the monetary cost for all of this is pennies in a $135 plus billion dollar NYS budget.
Unlike most articles that report impending park closures and budget cuts and the state-wide public outcry against them, Spector’s article takes aim at 140 NYS Parks that are now portrayed as a nearly $29 million dollar fiscal drain on the State budget facing a $9.2 billion deficit (a deficit brought on by gross mismanagement of our tax dollars by politicians and bureaucrats). In the article, Riverbank State Park, Harriman State Park, Jones Beach, and Earl W. Brydges Art Park, in that order, were noted as the million dollar plus “loss” leaders. Nothing was said about the positive values these park provide.
RIVERBANK
In the article, Riverbank is said to have biggest deficit with a $5.4 million loss. Thinking only of money, that is correct. Riverbank expenditures for 2008-2009 were estimated by OPRHP to be $6,711,552 and revenues were $1,237,193. This means that it cost New Yorkers approximately $5.47 million to keep Riverbank up and running. But is this a fault? If it is a fault, whose fault is it? The last time I checked OPRHP is responsible for Riverbank State Park.
SOME HISTORY CAN HELP
According to existing records, the NYC Planning Commission decided in March 1962 not to build a double-decked sewage treatment plant at West 70th-West 72nd Street or to site the plant at West 125th-West 134th Street because of building costs, Upper West Side development plans and the lack of public attendance at a hearing held on March 28, 1962, which no one knew about. In 1968, the City and State proposed to build a park on top of the plant at a public hearing and due to intense opposition to the siting location by residents and politicians, the proposed park was designated as compensation to West Harlem residents (Source: Public Hearing on Capital Project No. PW-164, North River Pollution Control Project, N.Y. City Records, April 25, 1968, at 2320-21). The architectural designs for Riverbank began in 1978 when the sewage plant platform was completed. Fifteen years later, on May 27, 1993, Riverbank opened officially opened to the public, seven years after the sewage plant began operations.
This makes Riverbank State Park unique – a man-made State park built atop an unwanted sewage treatment plant that was erected as a public compensation for siting the plant in an area already overburdened with depots that produced environmental hazards.
MONEY TALK AND MONEY QUESTIONS
How did Riverbank come to operate with a deficit? Does it have to be that way?
What if Riverbank was never intended or designed to be revenue generating park? Why did the designers of the park under the aegis of OPRHP not include architectural space for guest parking, gift shop, pro-sport shop, clothing concession and other retail outlets that could generate revenues to offset expenditures? Does the lack of parking and limited retail space design reflect the compensatory purpose of the park for West Harlem where it was anticipated that the State and City would pay for its operations in perpetuity? And should the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and NY State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) foot a significantly large part Riverbank expenditures since the North River Wastewater Treatment Plant since it is run by the DEP and regulated by the DEC?
What about the $20 million that was lopped off the $150 million construction budget by the State when Riverbank was being built? That cut prevented, among other things, the enclosing of the skating rink that was in the original design. That unresolved building issue currently disallows the use of the rink in the morning hours by figure skaters and prevents an extended skating season and both at a significant loss of possible revenue. If revenues are key for the OPRHP, why, after 17 years, is the rink still not enclosed?
Why are practical revenue generating ideas not turned into working realities? For example, Riverbank can fruitfully operate the 150 seat restaurant with 100 seat outdoor terrace seats to serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and takeout. Riverbank can manage its boat landing for running Hudson River tours or as water stop for river transportation. The riverfront amphitheater can be employed for ticket based concerts, an Ocktoberfest and other income producing activities.
Is it appropriate to compare scenic State Parks with hiking trails, nature preserves and beautiful lakes and waterfalls with Riverbank or vice versa when they do not have revenue generating capabilities due to their location and seasonal visitor patterns? Can Riverbank and other State Parks be fairly compared to a State Park with five 18 hole golf courses and polo grounds (Bethpage State Park) or one run by a privately held, profit-making company (Niagra Falls State Park)?
Considering the above, and if we only discuss monetary profit and loss, we can ask if the $5.5 million dollar deficit is another example of poor State planning and management? Also, must the Riverbank Community be penalized for that by accepting devastating budget cuts? If not, OPRHP and the Governor can explain why these millions are being called a loss or deficit vs. the cost of rendering much needed and well appreciated public services.
Aerial View of Riverbank State Park atop the North River Wastewater Treatment Plant in the Hudson River. The DEP owned plant occupies what would be prime West Harlem riverfront real estate.
RIVERBANK’S BANG
It is estimated that 2.5 million to 3.7 million visitors come to Riverbank State Park annually making it the third or fourth (depending on source) most visited NY State Park. On only 28 acres of park space, Riverbank park goers from all over the city greatly enjoy using, from 6: 00 am to 11:00 pm, the outdoor basketball, tennis and handball courts, the soccer, football and baseball fields, the 400 meter track, a 25 yd outdoor pool and 50 meter indoor pool, multi-use gymnasium with three basketball courts, an outdoor NHL regulation size ice and roller skating rink, a cultural center with 2,500 seat theater, a picnic area, community gardens, game and exercise rooms and a half-mile scenic promenade lined with benches with gorgeous day and night views of the Hudson River and George Washington Bridge.
In addition to walk in activities, Riverbank also has aquatic, athletic, skating and cultural programs that offer 380 regularly schedule classes with (302 with fees) that serve tots (3-5 year olds), kids (5-6 years old), youth (7-14), teens and adults (15 to 59), and seniors (60 plus). These classes serve 6,500 to 7,000 people annually. During the summer, there are summer camps that serve 600 children 5-15 year olds.
Riverbank also has it own sports teams serving nearly 500 children 5-14 years old. There are the Riverbank Rangers (ice hockey), Riverbank Redtails (swimming), Riverbank Hornets (football), Riverbank Rangers (baseball), Riverbank Runnin’ Rebels (boys basketball), Lady Gazelles (girls basketball) and the Riverbank Rockets (cheerleading). Riverbank is also home to schools and non-profit organizations, teams and leagues that pay permit fees for the seasonal and year round use of the athletic fields, indoor pool, gymnasium, skating rink and theater.
Finally there are well attended community and cultural events. The Young People’s Performance Series, Annual Riverbank College Fair, Senior Socials, Children & Family Celebrations, Summer Concerts, Pulse Theatre’s “Shakespeare in Harlem ” served 49,600 park goers.
Riverbank is a recreational, social, and cultural institution serving positive values to New York City residents and visitors. It is a safe haven for tots, kids, youth adults, seniors, teams, volunteers, non-profit organizations and public and private schools.
If the $785,000 proposed OPRHP budgets cuts are enacted, we will see substantial losses to the Riverbank Community.
Call and write Governor David Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson. We must do this now. Their contact info is listed below. Tell them not to cut Riverbank; too many citizens will suffer for so little gain.
GOVERNOR DAVID PATERSON
Email/web contact page: http://www.state.ny.us/governor/contact/GovernorContactForm.php
Mailing Address:
State Capital
Albany, New York 12224
518-474-8390
ASSEMBLYMAN SHELDON SILVER
Speaker of the New York State Assembly
Email address:speaker@assembly.state.ny.us
web contact page: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=064&sh=contact
District Office
250 Broadway
Suite 2307
New York, NY 10007
Tel: 212-312-1420
Albany Office
Legislative Office Building 932
Albany, NY 12248
Tel: 518-455-3791
SENATOR JOHN L. SAMPSON
Democratic Conference Leader
Email address: sampson@senate.state.ny.us
web contact page: http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/john-l-sampson/contact
District Office:
1222 East 96th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11236
Tel: 718-649-7653
Fax: 718-649-7661
Albany Office:
409 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
Tel: 518-455-2788
Fax: 518-426-6806
Sample Telephone Script 1:
Hi, my name is (your name) and I’m calling from (your address). Please say NO! to ALL of the proposed cuts to Riverbank State Park. Riverbank contributes to our mental, social and physical well-being as well as the local economy. Please know that Riverbank is a part of my way of life and my family’s and not simply a park that we occasionally visit. That’s why I urge you to restore all Riverbank funding, hours and programming. Thank you.
Sample Telephone Script 2:
Hi, my name is (your name) and I’m calling from (your address). Please say NO! to ALL of the proposed cuts to Riverbank State Park. Riverbank was built to compensate the surrounding community for the unsightly and (still sometimes) SMELLY sewage treatment plant, which cuts it off from the Hudson for half a mile. The State MUST HONOR this compact; it’s not a favor! Thanks.
Riverbank Sports Teams – Riverbank Youth Ice Hockey
April 21, 2010
Lewis Burgess
The Youth Ice Hockey Programs at Riverbank offer the most affordable introduction to and training in recreational travel ice hockey in New York City. For the 2009-2010, program fees for beginning hockey skaters (5-8 year old Hockey Preppers was $100 with full hockey equipment given on loan and 17 practice sessions on Saturdays from from November 14th through March 21st. Program and USA Hockey fees for team members was $212-$222 for the entire winter season from November 14th through March 21st. There are 3 practice sessions a week for 1 hour and a half for mites (7-8 year olds), squirts (9-10 year olds), pee wees (11-12 year olds) and bantams (13-14 year olds). Games are played on Saturdays and/or Sundays.
For full program details see: http://www.riverbankhockey.org/
Coaches provide structured training and drills for all levels of ability in both recreational and competitive hockey. Coaches encourage individual development, teamwork and foster a natural, healthy competitive spirit that comes from within. Fun and excitement is always a part of all that is done.
Finally, all are welcome! There is a diverse group of participating parents and children who love the sport and who form the Riverbank Hockey community. The games are exciting for the parents as well as the children. Visit the Riverbank Hockey Parents Association web site to learn more: http://www.riverbankhockey.org/
The proposed OPRHP budget cuts would eliminate the ice hockey program and teams that serve 133 children as well as ending the swimming, baseball, football, and girls and boys basketball teams at Riverbank.
Call and write Governor David Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson and tell them not to cut Riverbank; too many children will suffer for so little gain.
GOVERNOR DAVID PATERSON
Email/web contact page: http://www.state.ny.us/governor/contact/GovernorContactForm.php
Mailing Address:
State Capital
Albany, New York 12224
518-474-8390
ASSEMBLYMAN SHELDON SILVER
Speaker of the New York State Assembly
Email address:speaker@assembly.state.ny.us
web contact page: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=064&sh=contact
District Office
250 Broadway
Suite 2307
New York, NY 10007
Tel: 212-312-1420
Albany Office
Legislative Office Building 932
Albany, NY 12248
Tel: 518-455-3791
SENATOR JOHN L. SAMPSON
Democratic Conference Leader
Email address: sampson@senate.state.ny.us
web contact page: http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/john-l-sampson/contact
District Office:
1222 East 96th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11236
Tel: 718-649-7653
Fax: 718-649-7661
Albany Office:
409 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
Tel: 518-455-2788
Fax: 518-426-6806
Sample Telephone Script 1:
Hi, my name is (your name) and I’m calling from (your address). Please say NO! to ALL of the proposed cuts to Riverbank State Park. Riverbank contributes to our mental, social and physical well-being as well as the local economy. Please know that Riverbank is a part of my way of life and my family’s and not simply a park that we occasionally visit. That’s why I urge you to restore all Riverbank funding, hours and programming. Thank you.
Sample Telephone Script 2:
Hi, my name is (your name) and I’m calling from (your address). Please say NO! to ALL of the proposed cuts to Riverbank State Park. Riverbank was built to compensate the surrounding community for the unsightly and (still sometimes) SMELLY sewage treatment plant, which cuts it off from the Hudson for half a mile. The State MUST HONOR this compact; it’s not a favor! Thanks.
NYSR – Where Are We Now? – April 20, 2010 – Decision Day is Approaching: No time to take it easy!
Riverbank stands in serious imminent danger of being wrecked, as soon as week from now, in order to save New York a measly $335,000 to put towards closing its $9.2 billion budget deficit while hurting hundreds of thousands of visitors and dedicated park users.
This is not a test. The lead-up, the facts, the context, and what we should do about it follows.
April 20, 2010
Lewis Burgess
A third week without a budget approaches. The Governor’s position is to make spending cuts, raise revenues mainly by taxing syrup and cigarettes while adamantly rejecting borrowing and financial gimmicks. Governor Paterson is playing hard ball and he can; he is not up for re-election, and has no political consequences to fear.
The Senate and Assembly seem unable to face fiscal reality and haven’t produced a substantial plan to close the State’s $9.2 billion budget deficit. The reasons, once again:
1. This is an election year and Democratic incumbents in the majority fear the political consequences of their budget decisions. Disgruntled Republicans are not helping. They complain of being excluded; they castigate the Democrats as fumblers. The hard decisions are left unmade.
2. The third round of emergency spending extenders has been approved; it will carry us till April 25th. But there’s no cash in State coffers. Five hundred construction projects are halted mid-course, their bills unpaid; 4% pay raises due to begin April 1 for 130,000 State workers have been unilaterally delayed; 2.1 billion in school payments are delayed. A $1 billion cash shortage will occur for the month of June. The State has run out of money three times in seven months and will do so again unless a balanced budget is approved.
3. Since there is no cash to manipulate, complex financial gimmicks like fund sweeps and off loads are not easy to pull off. Borrowing and refinancing increase the deficit both now and later and will be hard to achieve anyway, given the estimated deficit in 2011-2012. Spending cuts, taxes and fees seem to be the only way to close the deficit.
4. Whatever decisions are made in the end, a lot of us are going to lose, be hurt, get knocked off when the budget passes. We are up against the wall. The target is us. The Governor wants to pull the trigger. Legislators are holding him back, looking for a different way.
5. It’s hard for us New Yorkers to contribute to this discussion when the facts and factors are wrapped in secrecy and obscured in other ways. Tight-lipped Legislators do not want to tell precisely what they are up to, exactly what harm and loss will or will not come to us.
A crumb of news here, a few drops from a leak there, is all we get. Refinancing tobacco bonds in order to offer property tax rebates to senior citizens; boat docking fees and extra taxes on new car and home mortgages seem more like tests of the political waters then means to close the budget gap.
Better ideas are needed, ideas that might come up with citizen participation.
RIVERBANK
The Governor proposes to cut $29 million from a NYS Park operating budget that he has already cut previously in 2008-2010.
NYS State Parks Commissioner Carol Ash has obliged him by attempting to apportion these with a park-by-park review. The drastic result calls for the closure of parks and historic sites and service reductions. The proposed cuts to Riverbank are estimated at $785,000.
Riverbank's South Gate on 138th Street - Will we be locked out? How many other State Parks can lockout park goers?
The proposed method is keep the large iron gates at 145th Street and 138th Street closed and locked so none can enter before 11:00 am and then to move everyone out of the park by 7:00 pm and lock the gates again. There will be one shift at Riverbank.
Carrying out these proposed cuts will reduce Riverbank’s 380 classes by 59%, will prevent early-morning and after-work access to park fields and facilities to thousands of park goers, will eliminate the swimming, hockey, football and other sports teams, ruin or end the summer camps and cause the loss of an estimated $450,000 in revenue to the park. In addition, the outdoor pool will be closed, and all senior class and cultural and community events events will be eliminated.
This plan will also fire seasonal workers who live in the community, will discontinue the hire of contract coaches, instructors and life guards, and decimate the park we have known.
There is no guarantee that the losses will be restored.
Is all of this real? It is very real. Riverbank has already suffered severe cuts even while the budget is pending; the entire Spring Season Registration has been canceled:
The summer programs will be hit soon if the budget is not passed quickly. No other State Park has been hit so badly so early.
New Yorkers to Save Riverbank
If we do not do more than we have done, Paterson will pull the budget trigger and blast Riverbank into oblivion. As you can see, the rumors that all is well for Riverbank are just rumors. We are hurting now and we have to act now to prevent further damage. The health, happiness and welfare of our children, youth, adults and seniors are at stake.
Call and write Governor David Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson. We must do this now. Their contact info is listed below. Tell them not to cut Riverbank; too many citizens will suffer for so little gain.
GOVERNOR DAVID PATERSON
Email/web contact page: http://www.state.ny.us/governor/contact/GovernorContactForm.php
Mailing Address:
State Capital
Albany, New York 12224
518-474-8390
ASSEMBLYMAN SHELDON SILVER
Speaker of the New York State Assembly
Email address:speaker@assembly.state.ny.us
web contact page: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=064&sh=contact
District Office
250 Broadway
Suite 2307
New York, NY 10007
Tel: 212-312-1420
Albany Office
Legislative Office Building 932
Albany, NY 12248
Tel: 518-455-3791
SENATOR JOHN L. SAMPSON
Democratic Conference Leader
Email address: sampson@senate.state.ny.us
web contact page: http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/john-l-sampson/contact
District Office:
1222 East 96th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11236
Tel: 718-649-7653
Fax: 718-649-7661
Albany Office:
409 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
Tel: 518-455-2788
Fax: 518-426-6806
Sample Telephone Script 1:
Hi, my name is (your name) and I’m calling from (your address). Please say NO! to ALL of the proposed cuts to Riverbank State Park. Riverbank contributes to our mental, social and physical well-being as well as the local economy. Please know that Riverbank is a part of my way of life and my family’s and not simply a park that we occasionally visit. That’s why I urge you to restore all Riverbank funding, hours and programming. Thank you.
Sample Telephone Script 2:
Hi, my name is (your name) and I’m calling from (your address). Please say NO! to ALL of the proposed cuts to Riverbank State Park. Riverbank was built to compensate the surrounding community for the unsightly and (still sometimes) SMELLY sewage treatment plant, which cuts it off from the Hudson for half a mile. The State MUST HONOR this compact; it’s not a favor! Thanks.
Governor Paterson – Text of email sent to supporters about the NYS Budget
My Fellow New Yorkers:
I believe that elected officials have a simple duty to the people we serve; we must be honest with you, and we must work in your best interest. We are first and foremost public servants, even if the decisions we make can at times be difficult and unpopular. But I can assure you, every decision I have made since becoming governor has been about putting our State on the path to recovery and doing what’s right for New Yorkers.
In January, I called for our State to enter a new era of accountability. For too many years we recklessly fed our addiction to spending, and we jeopardized an entire generation’s chance at prosperity. So when I proposed a recovery budget that balances significant spending reductions with necessary revenue increases to help close our massive deficit — which has since grown to more than $9 billion this year, and $60 billion over the next four years – it was a decision I did not make lightly. This was a budget of necessity, not of choice.
In the three months since I put my plan before New Yorkers, the Legislature has worked with me to try and reach an agreement on a responsible budget that corrects the mistakes of the past. However, thus far my colleagues have been unable to agree to the recurring spending cuts that we need. They have also rejected the vast majority of my necessary revenue proposals. The levies I have put forward to discourage the use of unhealthy cigarettes and sugared beverages are smart, targeted public policy measures meant to not only help close our budget deficit, but also make New York a healthier state. More than two weeks past the statutory budget deadline, the Senate and Assembly plans are still billions short of what is necessary.
Making substantial and recurring spending reductions is the first and most important step in restoring fiscal sanity to our budget process and closing our deficit. But over the past two months, too much of the conversation in Albany has centered on borrowing to balance our budget and satiate the desire to spend more money. Some lawmakers are even talking about borrowing money, only so they can turn around and give it away as a tax rebate. This is an unequivocally terrible idea. While everyone supports the goal of property tax relief, we simply cannot create a property tax relief program by spending money we do not have.
With so few options, the decisions facing New York’s legislators are exceptionally difficult. I understand that. That is precisely why these difficult times call for elected officials to be honest with the public about the problems our State is facing. It was the inability to make tough decisions in the past that brought us here today.
I am ready to make the difficult decisions necessary to protect New York’s fiscal health. In the past six months, I have taken extraordinary action on three separate occasions to prevent the State from running out of cash. Last month I was forced to delay a $2.1 billion payment to school districts in order to keep our State fiscally secure. I also had to withhold state tax refunds, and delay funding for construction projects and non-profits. Now I have submitted another round of bare-bones emergency spending measures, this time delaying a scheduled 4% pay raise to our public employees. I know that these measures may be painful – but I am serious when I say that all New Yorkers must share in this sacrifice.
I will not accept a budget that continues the same tired fiscal tricks of the past. I will not accept a budget that shields the special interests. And I will not accept a budget that allows New York to slip into an economic coma from which it could take a generation to wake-up. Instead, I will keep fighting to restore fiscal sanity, no matter how late the budget is and now matter how many times I am threatened with frivolous lawsuits.
New Yorkers have a great history of overcoming adversity, and now, we must meet another historic challenge. I am confident that we will succeed. I am certain that we cannot fail. And working together, I know that we can build a new foundation for New York’s fiscal future.
Best,
David A. Paterson
Save Riverbank 
NYSR – Paterson wants to play hard ball; but the teams are not on the field
April 29, 2010
Lewis Burgess
Governor David A. Paterson
Governor Paterson wants to play hard ball with Legislators to get them to pass a State Budget. On April 28th, the Governor proposed:
RESPONSES
1. BUDGET VOTE: The Governor’s newly revised budget made it to the session calendar late for a vote and so no vote occurred. The Senate and Assembly left on Wednesday to end another week without passing a budget. A vote on the newly revised budget, if it makes the session calendars, will have to wait till next week.
2. FURLOUGH: If enacted, the one day a week furlough measure could force a choice between approving the one day a week furlough for 100,000 workers or a shutdown of government operations.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver
ASSEMBLY
Assembly Speaker Silver said that because the furloughs would violate the 3 year old unions’ contracts with the state the furloughs are illegal and the Assembly would not approve the measures. Does that mean that the Assembly will vote us into a government shutdown?
On the other hand, Majority Leader Ron Canestrari says he will be forced to vote for the extenders with the furlough provision since he sees that we cannot afford to close down state government.
Paterson and his aides maintain that the furloughs are legal because the budget is not passed.
SENATE
The Senate has not made any official comment on the furlough measure.
UNIONS
In response to the furlough announcement, Danny Donohue, head of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), issued a one-word statement: “Nuts.”
The Public Employees Federation (PEF) is against the furlough. Tom Comanzo, the Vice President of PEF, says that the unions have been trying to give ideas to Governor Paterson [such as eliminating private consultant and contractors to save several hundred million dollars], but these ideas have not been adopted by the Governor. PEF President Kenneth Brynien said “Governor David Paterson’s proposal to furlough state employees is illegal.”
On their lunch hour Friday, members of Public Employees Federation (PEF) and Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) will rally outside the Glendale facility out near Binghamton.
3. FIVE DAY WORK WEEK FOR LEGISLATORS: The Governor has the power to legally compel legislators to hold session and there is nothing that they can do about that. However, there is no way to make them take a vote if in session or to pass the budget. On both sides of the aisle, the work week extension was greeted with approval by some who believe that something can be done and rejection by others who think that the only thing that will happen is a waste of taxpayer dollars.
4. LAYOFFS
No comments or reactions to Governor Paterson’s mention of the possibility of layoffs on WOR 710 AM this morning, April 29th.
COMMENTS
It is common opinion that the New York State government is dysfunctional. But that is somewhat inaccurate. Rather, NYS State government is functioning very well in accordance with its structural design: to preserve the balance of power mainly in the hands of the Legislative Majority (regardless of which party is the majority). This can be done at the expense of the Executive Branch that, if in disagreement with the Majority Conference and without sufficient allies there, will be placed in an isolated role to be either compelled to follow its lead or to stand in opposition, strongly or weakly.
For practical purposes, such as passing the state budget, power accumulates into the hands of a few select Senate and Legislative leaders who are in structural command positions over the rest (e.g. Speaker, Majority Leaders, select Committee Chairs, etc.) and/or have come to have greater inside information, decision-making and allocation rights and powers, and access to State and other resources.
Like most hierarchical organizations, such arrangements result in an institutional political order that requires loyalty to leaders and in this case to the dictates of legislative leaders and the Governor. If a neutral or oppositional stance to a given agenda is taken, it is certain that one risks not receiving needed support and resources.
A good example of this is in the unequal allocation of funds for member items. See: Member Item Distribution Still “Grotesquely Unfair”
Though there have been efforts to reform certain longstanding and undesirable institutional political practices of the Senate and Assembly, they are difficult to carry out, even when the reforms become law. The practices are too ingrained and still serve political interests and control all too well.
The lack of actual political reformation of the budget process is one reason why the budget is late once again. Too few legislators are actually knowledgeable about budget details. Most are not able to work on it directly in conference committees. And when they do work on it, it is to lobby for their constituents’ interests and special interests. The actual working through of the budget items is done by the leadership in closed door sessions where most of the Senators and Assemblymembers are absent.
Listen to Governor Paterson in his direct comments and descriptions of the NYS Budget process here:
WCBS News Radio 880AM – Governor Paterson
WOR News Talk Radion 710AM – Governor Paterson
timesunion.com Video – Governor Paterson
State of Politics – Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver
Direct comments made by John L. Sampson and other Senate and Assembly leaders in audio and video files were not found.
This is the way it is.
Knowing the way it is, we have to lobby key decision makers, the Governor, the Assembly Speaker and the Majority Conference Leader who may not be fully aware of our interests, and the interests of hundreds of thousands of Riverbank park goers who need this park as it was.
Your voice must be heard.
John Sampson and Sheldon Silver
WHAT CAN I DO?
Call – Call and write Governor David Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson and tell them not to cut Riverbank; too many people will suffer for so little gain. Help your family, relatives and friends to make calls to the Governor and these legislators. Their contact info is below.
Sign – Sign the petition at the Park and online – have others do the same
Buy – Buy a “Save Riverbank” t-shirt and wear it – spread the word.
Become a Facebook Fan – http://tinyurl.com/yhmlbb8
VOLUNTEER! – save.riverbank@yahoo.com
GOVERNOR DAVID PATERSON
Email/web contact page: http://www.state.ny.us/governor/contact/GovernorContactForm.php
Mailing Address:
State Capital
Albany, New York 12224
518-474-8390
ASSEMBLYMAN SHELDON SILVER
Speaker of the New York State Assembly
Email address:speaker@assembly.state.ny.us
web contact page: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=064&sh=contact
District Office
250 Broadway
Suite 2307
New York, NY 10007
Tel: 212-312-1420
Albany Office
Legislative Office Building 932
Albany, NY 12248
Tel: 518-455-3791
SENATOR JOHN L. SAMPSON
Democratic Conference Leader
Email address: sampson@senate.state.ny.us
web contact page: http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/john-l-sampson/contact
District Office:
1222 East 96th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11236
Tel: 718-649-7653
Fax: 718-649-7661
Albany Office:
409 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
Tel: 518-455-2788
Fax: 518-426-6806
Sample Telephone Script 1:
Hi, my name is (your name) and I’m calling from (your address). Please say NO! to ALL of the proposed cuts to Riverbank State Park. Riverbank contributes to our mental, social and physical well-being as well as the local economy. Please know that Riverbank is a part of my way of life and my family’s and not simply a park that we occasionally visit. That’s why I urge you to restore all Riverbank funding, hours and programming. Thank you.
Sample Telephone Script 2:
Hi, my name is (your name) and I’m calling from (your address). Please say NO! to ALL of the proposed cuts to Riverbank State Park. Riverbank was built to compensate the surrounding community for the unsightly and (still sometimes) SMELLY sewage treatment plant, which cuts it off from the Hudson for half a mile. The State MUST HONOR this compact; it’s not a favor! Thanks.