Legislature's reform plan
in the hands of New York state voters

A proposed bipartisan amendment to the New York State Constitution will be in front of voters on November 8 for a decision - offering citizens a say in the state's much-maligned budget process - one that in the past has been called "notoriously dysfunctional" and "chronically late."

I support this plan because it makes positive changes to the outdated budget process, which has not worked efficiently. For the first time in 20 years, the Legislature passed an on-time budget, but one on-time in 20 years is still not good enough. We need to continue producing on-time budgets each year and this constitutional amendment will help ensure that we do just that.

The amendment, in fact, has the support of government reform groups such as Citizens Union,Common Cause/NY, League of Women Voters/N.Y.S. and the New York Public Interest Research Group.

Here's a breakdown of our bipartisan plan (A.1, A.2), and how it will affect the budget process:

Ensuring budgets are adopted on time

The time frame for important decisions regarding the spending plan will be adjusted to allow for more thorough discussion, debate and review of budget details - encouraging a timely passage of the budget. The plan would:

•change the start of the state fiscal year from April 1 to May 1;

•require earlier submission of the governor's budget by January 15 and shorten the amendment period from 30 days to 21 days to allow additional time for legislative review;

•start discussions between the governor and the Legislature on forecasts for tax revenues on or before December 5 of each year; and

•impose a contingency budget if a new budget is not adopted by May 1.

Planning for the future

To prevent financial shortfalls due to unexpected events - like sudden economic downturns or natural disasters - the plan would:

•provide a two-year "step-ahead" appropriation for school aid;

•create reserve funds for May and June school aid payment; and

•require a 3-year projection of the financial impact of any changes to the governor's budget.

Insisting taxpayer dollars are spent wisely

This bipartisan plan would demand more accountability from the governor and allow more access to budget information by:

•requiring the Independent Budget Office to provide the Legislature and the public with detailed information related to the budgetary process;

•requiring the governor's budget to include all spending related to the Health Care Reform Act; and

•requiring additional detail and financial reporting in the governor's budget relating to the financial plan.

In November, New York voters have the opportunity to decide whether the Legislature's bipartisan reform plan is the right one for New York. I urge all New York voters to go to the polls and let your voice be heard.

Assemblymember Susan John

131 District