Cuomo Discusses Executive Budget at Manhattanville

Governor Andrew Cuomo addressed about 400 students, faculty and members of the public in Manhattanville's Benziger Hall as part of an ongoing effort to discuss his 2011-2012 executive budget.

State government needs to focus on bipartison politics, across the board spending cuts and overall consolidation of various programs to close the current budget gap without increasing taxes, Governor Andrew Cuomo said Thursday.

Cuomo released his budget earlier in the week, which poses a challenge to state and local governments to cut spending and maintain services while not raising taxes. He provided details of his plans at Manhattanville Thursday as part of his state tour promoting change in New York's government.

"We spend too much money, that is my sophisticated economic analysis," the governor joked. "You can't spend more money than you make — period."

Westchester County, the highest taxed county in the nation, was at the forefront of Cuomo's goal to cutting taxes. He said that the county's taxes are 96 percent higher than the national average and that taxes have increased out of proportion with average salary increases for years. He said this trend will continue to cause businesses and people to leave the area, and state, unless changes are made.

He continued to say that New York State ranks first nationally in spending on education and healthcare, while ranking in the middle of the pack in results. An increased focus on competition within the school system will improve programs while spending less, the governor said.

Cuomo proposed an overall two percent cut in medicaid funding along with a $1.5 billion dollar reduction in overall education funding from the state. All this to go with his proposed cap in property taxes.

The cuts to education funding could be partially offset by a proposed $250 million dollar grant offered to selected schools that show improvement in graduation rates, management and consolidation, the governor said.

"Cutting aid to education is not popular, it's not what I'm here to do, it's not what I would like to do," Cuomo said. "However I don't believe this cut will result in any layoffs."

The governor said $1.1 billion dollars could be saved with a wage freeze among teachers and school administrators state wide, pointing out that more than 40 percent of the state's 279 public school superintendents are paid more than $200,000 a year.

"I understand that (school superintendents) have to manage large organizations, I understand that they have to balance budgets, I don't understand why they have to get paid more money than I get paid," Cuomo quipped.

Cuomo promised that a redesign team will rebuild the current Medicaid system, that spends 52 cents on the dollar on outside agencies and middle men.

Budget cuts won't be the only solution for revitalizing the state's still stagnant economy, Cuomo said, adding that there must also be a focus on economic development. The governor proposed regional strategies for bringing businesses and jobs back to the state.

Local school and government officials  how some of Cuomo's cuts paired with a tax cap would work, blaming mandates from the state for some of the tax increases in the past.

Cuomo acknowledged possible apprehension to follow his plans Tuesday, maintaining that changes will be difficult, but must occur to maintain healthy state spending. He called on the public to become involved with the changes by speaking with their local representatives in Albany.

Assemblyman for the 89th district Robert Castelli (R, C, — Goldens Bridge) said that he supports many of the core ideas within the governor's budget.

"These are not easy choices, they are tough, they are painful but they are absolutely necessary if we are going to become the Empire State again," Castelli said.

State Senator in the 37th district Suzi Oppenheimer (D, WF, — Mamaroneck) added that Cuomo will provide the type of leadership the state needs in a time of significant change. 

"We cannot walk away from the fact that this is a crisis," Oppenheimer said.

Cuomo acknowledged that the changes will be tough, and emphasized the importance of the general public's participation during the process.

"Whatever decisions we make now will shape the future of this state for years to come," Cuomo said. "Now is the time for us to embark on the road to recovery."

For more on Cuomo's proposed budget,