|
Vote "No" on Proposal (1)
Our government is based on a system of checks and balances to ensure that no
one person, agency or branch of government gains too much power. We learned
back in social studies class that this principle is one of the cornerstones
of American democracy. Despite all that we have learned about the balance of
power and responsibility, on Election Day the State Legislature will offer a
ballot proposal to throw our entire system out of balance, costing taxpayers
billions of dollars.
I am referring to Proposal 1, a constitutional amendment that would
eliminate the requirement of the Legislature to act on the Governor's
proposed appropriation bills, and instead would give the Legislature the
power to create and pass their own budget. This loosely controlled system
would give the ultimate authority and power of the entire budget process to
the State Legislature. Supporting Proposal 1 would be like giving the
Legislature a blank check to your bank account.
In fact, the state Business Council recently issued a report that showed the
Legislature has added $12 billion in spending to the budgets I have
submitted. But while most of us have already seen enough Cheese museums and
Pro Wrestling Halls of Fame, Proposal 1 would actually provide the
Legislature with even more power to add billions in new spending each and
every year. By removing any real checks on the Legislature's budget-making
power, this measure would clearly lead to higher taxes, more spending,
skyrocketing debt and huge budget deficits for years to come.
And although some are trying to portray this measure as "budget reform,"
Proposal 1 would actually represent a huge step backward in the effort to
reform and improve the way Albany conducts business. It would actually
reward the Legislature with new budget-writing powers if they fail to pass
an on-time budget, and would empower special interests and lobbyists by
launching a new feeding frenzy of government spending. It also fails to
include a balanced budget requirement, or even a requirement that the budget
be negotiated in open, public meetings.
Learning from History
Back in 1915, legendary leaders like Al Smith, FDR and Charles Evans Hughes
worked to establish a strong executive budgeting process that would ensure
greater accountability and sound fiscal policy. These leaders understood
the fact that the Governor is the only statewide elected official involved
in the budget making process who can be held accountable by all the voters.
Real Reform
I would be the last person in the world to defend the status quo - it is
clear to all of us that the budget-making process in New York is surely in
dire need of real reform, but it is equally clear to us that Proposal 1 does
not provide it. Curiously, the proposed amendment fails to incorporate ANY
of the sensible measures we adhered to this year that helped produce the
first on-time budget in over two decades.
That's why virtually every major editorial board in the State has come out
against this ill-considered proposal, and why public officials of all
political stripes, including Hugh Carey, Ed Koch, Mike Bloomberg, Eliot
Spitzer, Tom Suozzi and Maggie Brooks have joined the effort to defeat
Proposal 1.
Over the last 11 years, we've enacted some historic initiatives,
re-aligned the State's priorities and made sensible reforms that have
created a safer, healthier, and more prosperous New York. A great deal of
what we have been able to accomplish is directly attributable to the renewed
financial strength we've built.
We've come too far over the last 11 years to throw it all away and
increase taxes to support a plan that would give the Legislature a blank
check to your back account. We all know that there's only one correct choice
on Proposal 1 - AND THAT CHOICE IS "NO."
10-26-05
© 2005 North
Country Gazette
|
