State leaders have seized the opportunity presented by the unprecedented budget deficit to implement long-term solutions that will help restore the State’s fiscal strength. While the budget negotiations signaled a change in Albany’s working dynamics, some old habits die hard; indeed, some just won’t die at all.

New York City Budget Director Mark Page testified this week that additional cuts to services may be necessary.  The current financial plan, released on February 17^th, showed the City in a relatively good financial position, but still relies on State action worth $600 million to close the budget gap for fiscal year 2012.   In the event the State does not restore some of

The Medicaid Redesign Team appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo was given a difficult job – reduce Medicaid spending significantly while improving the quality of care provided to the indigent. The Team has made significant progress in at least two ways.

School aid is the State’s largest expenditure item, comprising fully $21.2 billion or one-quarter of the State operating budget.[1]  To help close a $10 billion gap in the coming year’s budget, Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed reducing school aid by nearly $1.7 billion to $19.5 billion.