Governor Advances Annual Message
Before several thousand attendees, Governor Andrew Cuomo this afternoon presented his 2012 Annual Message to the Legislature — or the State of the State message.
His message was an ambitious plan to move New York forward, appropriately entitled “Building a NEW New York…with you”. In the plan he outlined ways to rebuild our infrastructure including the long-delayed construction of a new Tappan Zee bridge and a major infusion of development funds into the City of Buffalo. He called for continued efforts to reduce the deficit without raising taxes. He called for measures to relieve hunger among our children and to strengthen the middle class in our state. He called for reimagining (his word) state government which he suggested is not functioning effectively or efficiently.
He spent a significant time on calling for reform in education which he continues to say is #1 in spending in the nation but #38 in graduation rates. He called on legislators to work with him to ensure that schools are properly managed and even suggested that the tax cap has “forced” fiscal discipline in the schools. He emphasized the word “forced” as if to suggest that no fiscal discipline would have happened were it not for the imposition of the tax cap. One can imagine that school leaders might have a different view of that position in that they have been cutting school expenses for years prior to the tax cap being enacted.
In a special call-out, the Governor noted that everyone in education seems to have a lobbyist….he rattled off ‘teachers, school boards, superintendents’ and then “even bus drivers have lobbyists” with a picture of a school bus on the screen behind him. (He also noted that the only people without a lobbyist are the students and that he would take that role on for them!) The school bus industry has joined an elite company in that statement. It suggests that we are a part of the discussion and we must be prepared to argue our positions related to budget proposals and mandate relief and a range of topics. We will communicate with the Governor that we, too, are “for the children” and that we only offer proposals that are good for the children. We will communicate with the Governor that we have put forth serious proposals for mandate relief that will save real money for the state and our school district budgets and have had no one seriously consider those proposals. We understand the situation that the state and municipalities and schools are in and we are willing to take up the cause with reasonable and practical proposals. Conversely, we cannot stand idly by and allow proposals to be advanced without speaking out on their practicality or relevance. It would be wrong and unprofessional to remain silent about ill-thought proposals.
So — lots to think about as we await the Governor’s budget proposal which is expected on January 17th. We will provide more on-going analysis in the coming days.
You can link to the entire speech by clicking HERE.
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