Contributing Writers • October 11, 2009 • New York is facing a budget deficit of about $3 billion. Gov. David Paterson is expected to soon call the Legislature into a special session to address the crisis. The Editorial Board previously published readers' ideas on how to bridge the fiscal gap. Below are members of the region's delegation in Albany who responded to the board's request for budget cutting ideas.
Efficiency will bring savings
By ignoring long-term solutions and structural reforms last year, we perpetuated our fiscal crisis and led ourselves right back to another round of dramatic actions that, without vision, will only extend the dilemma further. While I support the governor's efforts to cut agency spending, I would like to see it done with a true commitment to long-term reform. Last year, I introduced a pilot program that would bring in efficiency experts to help agencies streamline their operations, cut waste and eliminate bureaucracy. This program could potentially save the state billions. Finding a willing agency partner was impossible, but given the governor's latest plan, now would be an opportune time for him to take the lead on such an effort.
This will be a fiscal solution for today that will continue to benefit our state well into the future.
—DAVID KOON, PERINTON
Koon, a Democrat, represents the 135th Assembly District.