ALBANY -- The incoming Governor of New York has an almost Herculean task ahead of him. Andrew Cuomo will be expected to close a more-than $9 billion budget gap, while at the same time ensuring that state government can protect its citizens. Over the past few days, he’s gotten some advice on how to do that.
If anyone understands the gravity of the state’s fiscal situation it’s Richard Ravitch,
At a speech he gave Thursday at the Rockefeller Institute, the Lt Governor called the confluence of ballooning pension costs and reduced revenues “a looming nightmare” that the federal government won’t be able to help with.
Said Richard Ravitch, Lt. Governor, "At the moment, everyone in Washington is concerned about other things and wishinhg we would concentrate on state finances. Don’t call us, wel’ll call you.
He’s referring to the pending deal to extend the Bush-era tax cuts, something that could add $900 billion to the national debt. Additionally, he told this academic crowd that he thinks investment in the state university system is critical.
Ravitch continues, "If anybody thinks we can grow an economy as we diminish the resources for higher education in this country, they have another thing coming.”
Andrew Cuomo will be lobbied by hundreds of people like SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher who is pushing for another shot at SUNY Empowerment. At the same time, the Governor-elect will face pressure from groups like the Business Council, and Unshackle Upstate whose goals are to reduce taxes & pension costs and pursue economic development. Something that activists in the environmental community like former DEC commissioner Pete Grannis will push back on…
Pete Grannis, former DEC Commissioner said, "The advances and victories we’ve had over the last 3 decades, cleaning up the water, cleaning up the air, could all be in jeopardy ".
The governor-elect made public his top staff today. Some have experience in state government having worked for his father, Mario.
