Christmas is a time for giving. Apparently, no one believes in this old adage more than Sheldon Silver, the Speaker of the New York State Assembly, and John Sampson, the Democrat leader of the State Senate. Last night, during a legislative special session, the Assembly and the Senate both failed to take up a package of budget cuts proposed by outgoing Governor David Paterson. The package, which included $55 million in reductions to Medicaid services and $260 million in cuts to state aid to local governments, was meant to address a shortfall in revenue collections since the adoption of the current budget. The failure to approve the package of cuts only means that the next governor, Andrew Cuomo, will have to address an even larger deficit, already estimated to be at least $9 billion, when he takes office January 1. Merry Christmas Gov. Cuomo!
In explaining why they did not consider the package, a spokesperson for the Democrats' Senate leader said, "The governor failed to submit legislation in time for thoughtful consideration and review.” However, according to the New York Times, Paterson called the special session two weeks ago and the governor's spokesperson said that they have been negotiating with Senate leaders on the size and scope of the budget cuts for the "better part" of the two weeks. Some insiders suggest that the Senate Democrats, who may lose their majority status pending recounts from the recent elections, are stalling because they want the Republicans poised to become the majority to bear the burden - and wrath of voters - for making budget cuts.
While New York is not the only example of legislators procrastinating or shirking their responsibility to voters (California and Illinois come to mind), I'm fairly confident that it ranks among the top. New York's projected $9 billion budget deficit is one of the largest in the nation. By not addressing the problem now, legislators only make matters worse because the deficit will grow in size, which will require more draconian measures to resolve (i.e. billion-dollar tax hikes and the elimination of government programs). Legislators are not addressing the problem because the political system in Albany is so entrenched and resistant to reform that voters cannot hold their leaders accountable. Until there is serious political reform, I fear that New York will face trouble in the months and years ahead. Gov-elect Cuomo has promised to shake up the dysfunctional political system in Albany. Let's hope he can deliver on that promise. That will be one Christmas present worth giving.