MARCH 2011

Citizens Speak Out at Latimer NYS Budget Hearing

By Stephen E. Lipken

Assemblyman George Latimer hosted a New York State (NYS) Budget Hearing at the Port Chester Senior Center on Thursday, February 17 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Citizens testified on a first-come, first-served basis and were allowed 4 minutes to speak.

“You can send e-mail to NYS Senator Suzi Oppenheimer and Governor Andrew Cuomo. Keep in mind that the Governor prepares the budget,” Latimer stated. “You can also communicate to the press and find budget information on www.budget.state.ny.us. Bear in mind that the Tax Cap is a separate piece of legislation.”

Educators protesting State school aid cuts and Tax Cap included Karen McGee, President Harrison Association of Teachers; Arlene Rice, Communications Director NYS School of the Deaf; Laura Slack, Vice President, Rye School District Board of Education and Robert Shaps, Superintendent, Mamaroneck Union Free School District.

Most who testified warned that reduction in social services would bring untold hardship.

Mark Dunlea of the Hunger Action Network cautioned that penalizing children for an adult’s failing to comply with welfare rules would increase their poverty.

Adam Rothman, Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, Inc. averred that State cuts would affect their services in family planning; prenatal; abortion care; testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.

Robert Waldman, Center for Aging in Place stressed the importance of funding to help senior citizens live independently.

Nearly universal opposition was expressed to the Triborough Amendment to the Taylor Law, prohibiting strikes by civil service employees while authorizing a Governor-appointed State Public Employment Relations board to resolve contract disputes; the Triborough Amendment mandates automatic pay increases even when a labor contract has expired.

 

 

 

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