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For Immediate Release: Thursday, December 2nd, 2004
Contact: Contact: Jordan Isenstadt (c) 516.991.3842
(w) 212.490.9535 (f) 212.490.2151
Senate Democrats, Advocates Rally to Override Pataki
Budget Vetoes
New York, NY – Senate Democrats rallied today with dozens of advocates
for higher education, public libraries, victims of domestic abuse, legal
services, the elderly and the mentally ill on the steps of City Hall to
demand that the Senate override Governor Pataki’s budget vetoes when it meets
in a special session this coming Monday, December 6, 2004.
"We call on the Senate Republicans to join us and override these
devastating and irresponsible cuts that would make it more difficult for New
Yorkers to get a college education and for our seniors and disabled to access
affordable health care," said State Senate Deputy Democratic Leader Eric
Schneiderman (D-Manhattan). Schneiderman was joined by Senators Liz
Krueger (D-Manhattan), Tom Duane (Manhattan),
Ruth Hassell-Thompson (Mt. Vernon),
and John Sabini (Queens).
Governor Pataki vetoed 195 Budget appropriations passed by the Legislature as
part of the 2004-05 State Budget. The Governor's vetoes total $1.7 billion,
including $455 million for SUNY capital improvements, $263 million for CUNY
capital improvements, $250 million for health care system improvements, $4.7
million for public library aid, $1.6 million for Higher Education Opportunity
Programs (HEOP), $13.8 million for SUNY community colleges, $5.5 million for
CUNY community colleges, $137 million for prior-year reappropriations for
highway maintenance, and $10 million for foster care.
"If we let these vetoes stand, these cuts will decimate one of our most
valuable public goods -- our public libraries - and set back our
efforts to expand educational opportunities for all New Yorkers," stated
Lillian Roberts, Executive Director of AFSCME DC 37, representing public
employees in New York City.
"On November 2nd voters demanded change from Albany.
By not overriding the Governor's vetoes, we are failing to end the gridlock
and taking a giant step back for reform," said Senator John Sabini (D-
Queens).
"It is unconscionable that Governor Pataki would slash funding for
foster children, seniors and working families trying to send their children
to college. We call on Senator Bruno and Senate Republican colleagues to join
us in rejecting these mean spirited attacks on working families" said
Senator Tom Duane (D- Manhattan).
The advocates noted that 47 of the Governor's vetoes amounted to program cuts
totaling $2.8 million, a fraction of the state's $100 billion Budget. But
these cuts would devastate many vital programs across the state, including
$538,000 for expanded in-home services for the elderly, $307,800 for runaway
and homeless youth programs, $250,000 for the Regional
Center for Autism,
$38,000 for domestic battering violence prevention program, and $100,00 for
the maintenance of veterans' cemeteries.
The governor's vetoes have already resulted in staff layoffs and cuts to
services across the state. Of particular concern, are cuts affecting programs
that have been demonstrated to reduce dependency, child abuse, neglect, and
costly out-of-home foster placements. These cuts make no sense - they end up
costing the state money, explained John Coppola, Executive Director of the
New York Association of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers.
"On Monday we are going to put a fight for working families and demand
that we over-ride these draconian cuts to vital programs for all New Yorkers.
Today we stand here, united, calling on our Republican colleagues to join
us," stated Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson (D-Mt. Vernon).
"Last year, the Senate took a stand and voted to override the Governor's
irresponsible budget vetoes of essential aid to higher education and health
care systems," remarked State Senator Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan).
"Once again, the Governor has led us down the same path. I strongly urge
all of my colleagues in the Senate to come together across party lines to
send a strong message that we will not tolerate losing funding for programs
that work to strengthen New York State."
"Balancing the budget by cutting small but critical programs for higher
education, healthcare and libraries is like trying to lose weight by chopping
off your thumbs," summed Senator Eric Schneiderman (D- Manhattan).
Senate Democrats plan a vigorous fight to overturn the vetoes when the Senate
reconvenes next Monday.
In attendance at the rally were:
Democratic Senators Liz Krueger, Eric Schneiderman, John Sabini, Ruth
Hassell-Thompson, and Tom Duane.
Lillian Roberts, President, AFSCME DC 37;
Barbara Bowen, President, Professional Staff Congress - CUNY
Anne Friedman, Vice President of Community Colleges, CUNY Central;
Joel Kelsey, Chair, Board of Directors, NYPIRG;
Dottie Hiebing, Executive Director, Metropolitan NY Library Council;
Rocco Staino, President, NY Library Association;
Bob Schachter, Executive Director, NASW;
Susan Feingold, Executive Director, Bloomingdale Family Program/Headstart;
Lisa Superville, Project Director, Liberty Partnership Program, Medger Evers
College;
Victor Allen, Director of Legislative Affairs, University Student Senate,
CUNY;
Bobbie Sackman, Director of Public Policy, Council of Senior Centers &
Services of NYC;
Laurie Cole, Director of Public Policy, NYS Council for Community Behavioral
Healthcare;
Ronald Chatters, Correctional Association, Juvenile Rights Division;
Rachel Cooper, Program and Policy Associate, Children’s Defense Fund;
Allison Sesso, Associate Director, Human Services Council;
Phillip Saperia, Executive Director, Coalition of Voluntary Mental Health
Agencies;
Leslie Foster, Director of Government and Community Affairs, Isabella
Geriatric Center;
Michele Maglione, Regional Director, NYC Citizen Action;
Charles Devlin, Executive Director, Daytop Village;
Isabel Morales, Local Coordinator, Parent to Parent;
John Coppola, Executive Director, Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Providers
of NYS;
Susan O'Malley, President, Staff Senate of CUNY;
Laura Petta, NYC Ombudsman, NYS Office of Long Term Care;
Jim Provost, President, Legal Services Staff Association Union;
Christine Toes, Executive Director, Fight Against Childhood Epilepsy and
Seizures;
James Van Bremer, Manager of Community and Governmental Affairs, Queens
Public Library;
Bernette Carway-Spruiell, Director of Government Affairs, Legal Aid of NY
Lisa Superville, Program Director Liberty Partnership Program, Medgar Evers
College, CUNY
Peggy Earisman, Project Director, Manhattan Office, Legal Services of New
York
Victor Allen, Director of Legislative Affairs, University Student Senate
Alexandra Nestoras, Executive Director, Liberty Partnership Program, Barnard
College
Buka Stricevic, NYAPS.
Reps from the Mental Health Association
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