WPCNR'S ADAM IN ALBANY. By Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley, 89th District. February 2, 2007: Taken as a whole, Governor Spitzer’s budget proposal hits all the right notes – tax relief to the middle-class, investing in education and providing health care to all New York State children.  A more cautious review uncovers a few areas where we need to ask a few questions, such as the elimination of local aid and health care cuts.

Spitzer’s tax relief plan is of utmost importance to Westchester homeowners, whose incomes have just not risen fast enough to keep up with the escalating property taxes.  However, higher cost-of-living in our communities must be taken into account and incorporated into the equation.  This relief might not be enough.  Under the governor’s expanded STAR program, Westchester homeowners can expect an increase in their STAR savings over last year:

The executive budget also provides more relief for senior homeowners with estimated savings increasing from $3,095 to $4,024. 

Education funding was also increased for the school districts I represent and I am very pleased that we finally have a governor committed to fulfilling the CFE decision.  The governor avoided using a “Robin Hood” approach to fund distressed school districts, which would have hurt Westchester schools.  While Spitzer’s proposal does provide a boost in aid to every school district within the 89^th Assembly District, some increases fall short, such as the two percent increase for White Plains. 

Another area that will receive a thorough review at our hearings is the health care reforms the governor is advocating for.  Putting the focus on patients and insuring the 400,000 children in our state that currently go without health care coverage is something I wholeheartedly support. 

However, we need to cautiously go through the finer details of the cuts being proposed so our local hospitals such as White Plains, Northern Westchester and the Westchester County Medical Center can continue to provide an exceptional quality of care and vital services.  There is no doubt that our health care system needs reforms in order to sustain it for future generations and ensure access and affordability today, but we simply cannot compromise patient care.  

We also cannot ignore our communities.  Spitzer proposed eliminating aid to the towns of Bedford, Harrison, Lewisboro, New Castle, North Castle and Pound Ridge and the village of Harrison.  While the previous aid amounted to only a small percent of the state’s overall aid to localities, it was significant to these towns and villages.  Eliminating this aid is merely a tax shift onto property taxpayers and I will fight to restore it during budget negotiations.