WPCNR'S ADAM IN ALBANY. By Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley, 89th A.D. April 21, 2006: For the second consecutive year, the Legislature passed an on-time budget that meets the needs of the people of New York. Unfortunately, the governor issued over 200 vetoes to the Legislature’s bipartisan budget agreement, causing the Republican Senate Majority Leader, Joseph Bruno to state in a recent radio interview that “Pataki cared more about Sioux City, Iowa than Syracuse.”
Critical tax relief for Westchester residents – Vetoed
The bipartisan budget agreement would have provided meaningful tax relief to Westchester’s overburdened taxpayers. Sadly, the governor’s veto pen struck most of the Legislature’s tax-relief package, including:
· Empire State Tax Credit – a maximum credit of $330 for each child age 4 to 17
· Property tax rebates that would have averaged $532 for Westchester’s Basic STAR recipients and $822 for senior homeowners under the Enhanced STAR program
· Reducing the marriage penalty tax – saving married couples $41 million when fully phased in
Legislature’s investments in higher education - Vetoed
The governor’s budget vetoes will have disastrous consequences for New York’s higher education institutions. He vetoed the Legislature’s restorations to the Tuition Assistance Program, as well as vital operating aid for SUNY to strengthen programs. He vetoed local investments totaling over $34.1 million for capital improvement projects at area colleges, including:
· $6 million to SUNY Purchase for the Heritage Site
· $8.1 million to SUNY Purchase for HVAC renovations – to rehabilitate the campus’ central plaza
· $20 million to Westchester County Community College for additional Master Plan Projects
Restorations to Westchester’s struggling health care system – Vetoed
The governor’s veto of the Legislature’s bipartisan budget proposal – which protects the health of New York’s most vulnerable populations by funding critical nursing home, hospital and emergency care – is deplorable. Again, the governor turns his back on those who need help the most.
Locally, the governor’s vetoes will cost Westchester hospitals $41.5 million and area nursing homes nearly $500,000, including:
· White Plains Hospital – $737,000
· Northern Westchester Hospital – $205,000
· Burke Rehabilitation Hospital – $179,000
· Westchester Medical Center – $4.9 million
· Cedar Manor Nursing home – $435,000
· Nathan Miller Center for Nursing Care, White Plains Division – $42,000
If his vetoes stand, the progress New York is making to improve our health care services, help struggling property taxpayers and strengthen our world-class universities would be seriously threatened. I cannot stand by as the governor scores political points at the expense of college students, property taxpayers and elderly. I will work with my colleagues in the Assembly and Senate to override vetoes, where constitutionally legal - representing a bipartisan united stand for a budget that New Yorkers deserve.
