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OK, maybe it might not be the most riveting TV, but legislative hearings under way in Albany on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed state budget can provide good insight into the inner workings of state government.
If you’re able, tune in. Maybe you won’t sit through every detail, but several hearings could be of particular interest to taxpayers, especially at a time when the state is struggling to pull itself out of a financial quagmire. Tough decisions will need to be made.
Cuomo delivered his $132.5 million budget for 2012-13 Jan. 17, and the Legislature is supposed to have a spending plan in place by April 1. Last year’s budget — Cuomo’s first — was actually approved on time. There are no indications yet whether that will be the case this time around.
One battle that’s likely is over proposed education aid. As the hearings began Monday, state Education Commissioner John King testified that the proposed $805 million increase won’t be enough. King said he’s concerned about a number of school districts facing insolvency due to increased costs, particularly employee costs such as health care. Local educators have made the same argument, saying that even though the proposed aid is more than last year, they’ll still need to cut teachers, increase class sizes and eliminate some extracurricular activities.
The hearings could make for some lively debate. For instance, a Feb. 8 hearing on Medicaid should be interesting given Cuomo’s plan to take over the cost of growth in Medicaid spending from counties over the course of three years. County executives across the state have blamed mandates — particularly rising Medicaid costs — as the one item most detrimental to local budgets.
The hearings are part of the process. Even though they’re not likely to keep you glued to your seat, tuning in even briefly is a good way to see your state government in action. Remember, it’s your money they’re talking about.
You can tune in
Hearings can be viewed on the Senate and Assembly websites and the Legislative Channel (Time-Warner 120), but will be preempted when houses are in session. At the conclusion of the legislative deliberations, televised coverage of the hearings will resume. The schedule:
Monday, Jan. 30, 9:30 a.m., Public Protection
Tuesday, Jan. 31, 9:30 a.m., Economic Development
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 9:30 a.m., Higher Education
Monday, Feb. 6, 10 a.m., Taxes
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 9:30 a.m., Environmental Conservation
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 10 a.m., Health / Medicaid
Monday, Feb. 13, 9:30 a.m., Human Services
Monday, Feb. 13, noon, Housing
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 9:30 a.m., Mental Hygiene
OK, maybe it might not be the most riveting TV, but legislative hearings under way in Albany on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed state budget can provide good insight into the inner workings of state government.
If you’re able, tune in. Maybe you won’t sit through every detail, but several hearings could be of particular interest to taxpayers, especially at a time when the state is struggling to pull itself out of a financial quagmire. Tough decisions will need to be made.
Cuomo delivered his $132.5 million budget for 2012-13 Jan. 17, and the Legislature is supposed to have a spending plan in place by April 1. Last year’s budget — Cuomo’s first — was actually approved on time. There are no indications yet whether that will be the case this time around.
One battle that’s likely is over proposed education aid. As the hearings began Monday, state Education Commissioner John King testified that the proposed $805 million increase won’t be enough. King said he’s concerned about a number of school districts facing insolvency due to increased costs, particularly employee costs such as health care. Local educators have made the same argument, saying that even though the proposed aid is more than last year, they’ll still need to cut teachers, increase class sizes and eliminate some extracurricular activities.
The hearings could make for some lively debate. For instance, a Feb. 8 hearing on Medicaid should be interesting given Cuomo’s plan to take over the cost of growth in Medicaid spending from counties over the course of three years. County executives across the state have blamed mandates — particularly rising Medicaid costs — as the one item most detrimental to local budgets.
The hearings are part of the process. Even though they’re not likely to keep you glued to your seat, tuning in even briefly is a good way to see your state government in action. Remember, it’s your money they’re talking about.
You can tune in
Hearings can be viewed on the Senate and Assembly websites and the Legislative Channel (Time-Warner 120), but will be preempted when houses are in session. At the conclusion of the legislative deliberations, televised coverage of the hearings will resume. The schedule:
Monday, Jan. 30, 9:30 a.m., Public Protection
Tuesday, Jan. 31, 9:30 a.m., Economic Development
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 9:30 a.m., Higher Education
Monday, Feb. 6, 10 a.m., Taxes
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 9:30 a.m., Environmental Conservation
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 10 a.m., Health / Medicaid
Monday, Feb. 13, 9:30 a.m., Human Services
Monday, Feb. 13, noon, Housing
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 9:30 a.m., Mental Hygiene
