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Statewide March for Main Street - Jan. 7, 2009 Led by NYS AFL-CIO, CSEA, SEIU 1199 and AFSCMEJanuary 5th, 2009  ALBANY - The working people of New York will take to the streets around the state Capitol in the March for Main Street on January 7, 2009, when Gov. David Paterson delivers his State of the State address. All working New Yorkers live on "Main Street" and thousands of them will march for fairness in New York's taxes, budget and services. Their voices need to be heard and respected as tough budget decisions are made. The event is being coordinated by the NYS AFL-CIO, CSEA, PEF, SEIU 1199 and AFSCME, which combined represent nearly 1 million working New Yorkers. All have offered a range of alternative ideas to address the state's fiscal challenges through better choices than what Governor Paterson has put forward. For additional information, see: March DiNAPOLI RELEASES PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF 2009-10 EXECUTIVE BUDGETJanuary 2nd, 2009 Governor Paterson's Executive Budget proposal uses various cost-saving measures, non-recurring resources and new taxes, fees, charges and assessments to close a $1.7 billion budget deficit in fiscal year 2008-09 and a $13.7 billion gap in 2009-10, according to a report issued today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. DiNapoli's report found that the governor's proposal takes positive steps toward aligning spending with available revenues. However, DiNapoli also identified a number of risks to the governor's proposal that could result in the failure of revenues and savings to materialize, jeopardizing budget balance. DiNapoli also noted the state continues to face long-term structural budget imbalance.DiNapoli Predicts Loss of 225,000 NYS Jobs and Thompson Foresees 50% Drop in Wall Street Bonuses at BALCONY ForumDecember 15th, 2008 New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli warned of the loss of 225,000 private sector jobs and New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson Jr. warned of a Wall Street bonus pool decline of 50% at a December 11th breakfast gathering sponsored by BALCONY, the Business and Labor Coalition of New York. The gathering, organized by BALCONY Director Lou Gordon, occurred at the Financial District headquarters of the United Federation of Teachers and was attended by more than two hundred business and labor leaders. BALCONY sponsored Wall Street Breakfast - DiNapoli & ThompsonDecember 11th, 2008 THOMPSON RELEASES EXCERPT FROM “THE STATE OF NEW YORK CITY’S ECONOMY AND FINANCES” REPORT-New York outperformed other cities over the past year, but is showing signs of decline- -Job losses, lower Wall Street bonuses contribute to lower tax revenue for NYC-  (left to right: William C. Thompson, Jr, Thomas DiNapoli, Bruce Ventimiglia, Alan Lubin) Read the complete release: Thompson Comptrollers DiNapoli and Thompson Analyze Wall Street Meltdown: Implications for New York State EconomyDecember 8th, 2008 BALCONY Hosts Financial District Breakfast ForumBALCONY Hosts Financial District Breakfast ForumBALCONY, the Business and Labor Coalition of New York, will host a Financial District forum on Thursday, December 11th on the Wall Street Meltdown: Implications for the New York Economy featuring New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. The breakfast briefing will take place at the United Federation of Teachers, 52 Broadway at Exchange Street, fifth floor conference room in Manhattan from 8:30 am to 10:00am. Registration will begin at 8:00am. View the press release, details, and sponsor list: Forum GOVERNOR PATERSON ACCEPTS FINAL REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION ON METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY FINANCINGDecember 4th, 2008 Says Recommendations Reflect Sound Public Policy and a Viable Proposal for Maintaining Region’s Transit System Asks Counsel to Draft Implementing LegislationGovernor David A. Paterson today accepted the final report of the Ravitch Commission on Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Financing. The report provides recommendations on how to fund the MTA’s long-term capital plan and how to close its operating budget deficits without resorting to double-digit fare increases or drastic service cuts. The Commission report was presented to Governor Paterson by Commission Chairman Richard Ravitch. DiNAPOLI REPORT: WALL STREET’S TRANSFORMATION WILL LEAD TO LOWER TAX REVENUES; CONTINUED JOB LOSSESNovember 24th, 2008 Wall Street’s Shift from Investment Banking Model Will Lower Industry ProfitsThe financial crisis could cost New York State and New York City 225,000 jobs and $6.5 billion in securities industry-related tax revenue over the next two years, according a report released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The Comptroller noted that the Governor and Mayor have been proactive in dealing with the crisis, but New York, like other states, may require federal assistance given the magnitude of the projected budget gaps. BALCONY Co-Chair Alan Lubin honoredNovember 14th, 2008  BALCONY Co-Chair Alan Lubin was honored for his work on behalf of the Medicare Rights Center Wednesday Night November 12th in New York. Lubin is seated in middle of photo along with other BALCONY supporters, Peter Slocum of the American Cancer Society (lower left) and attorney Jeffrey Krinsk ( lower right) . Joining them are: Adria Linehan BALCONY Health Care Advocacy Coordinator, Lou Gordon BALCONY director, and Eleni Delimpaltadaki of Opportunity Agenda and a member of the BALCONY issues advisory council. News from BALCONY Archives AARP Says Proposed State Budget is a MIXED BAG for New York's ElderlyJanuary 2nd, 2009 Statement by Lois Aronstein AARP New York State Director
Like the weather outside, the 2009-2010 Executive Budget announced by Governor Paterson contains a mixed bag for older New Yorkers. BROAD COALITION OF LABOR, BUSINESS, CIVIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS CALLS FOR $12 BILLION STIMULUS PACKAGE TO CREATE OR SAVE 435,000 JOBS ACROSS NEW YORKDecember 18th, 2008 Immediate Investment in Improving Infrastructure Would Put Thousands Back to Work While Making Crucial Improvements to Roads, Bridges, Public Transportation, Parks and Water Systems Across StateEconomists to Governor: Raise High-End Income Taxes To Help Close Budget GapsDecember 16th, 2008  More than 100 economists from throughout New York State joined together this week to send a message to Albany: steep cuts in state spending will weaken the already struggling New York economy, and will hurt poor and middle income New Yorkers. In a letter to the governor, the economists urge him to take “a balanced approach” to closing the gap in the state budget between revenues and spending—that is, an approach that includes raising taxes on high-income households. Read the entire letter: Letter My View: Access to health care is a life-and-death issue for cancer patientsNovember 24th, 2008 OPINION By Sandra Cassese Would you recognize the face of the uninsured in America? It's the 22-year-old recent college graduate who is no longer covered under a parent's insurance plan, the 45-year-old professional who is between jobs and cannot afford high-priced continuation coverage, the single parents who can get government-backed insurance for their kids but make just too much salary to qualify themselves. PEF joins hundreds at “Better Budget” rallyNovember 18th, 2008 Albany-Members of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF) carried signs that read “We’re All In This Together,” as they listened to speeches from groups concerned about how the state intends to close a growing multi-billion dollar budget gap.Full Story: Better Budget Fired day care workers fighting hard to get their jobs backNovember 4th, 2008  By Clare Trapasso Workers at a chain of city-supported Queens day care centers who said they were fired after forming a union are fighting to get their jobs back. But a company official denied they were let go due to union activities. Union leaders meet with governorOctober 22nd, 2008  Session on savings draws some optimism amid budget problems. By Rick Karlin Leaders of three major state employee unions met with Gov. David Paterson on Tuesday for what was described as a freewheeling discussion of how the state can save money to deal with its growing budget deficit. New York City Construction Spending Forecast to Reach $33.8 Billion in 2008 and $93 Billion over Three Years, According to New York Building Congress Construction OutlookOctober 14th, 2008 Continued Strength May Be Seen in all Building Sectors Through 2009;
Economic Downturn Creates Uncertainty for 2010 and BeyondNEW YORK, October 14, 2008 – For the second time this decade, New York City’s construction industry has proven its resilience while helping to bolster a struggling local economy, according to New York City Construction Outlook 2008-2010, an annual forecast and analysis prepared by the New York Building Congress. The report was released today at a Construction Industry Forum featuring New York City Planning Commission Chair Amanda M. Burden and New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky. SUNY expands leave time for familySeptember 2nd, 2008 The more than 30,000 people who work at the State University of New York and are represented by United University Professions got a long-sought benefit recently: In addition to their new three-year labor contract, finalized last month, the workers received an extension of family leave time. Port Authority Exec Says Infrastructure Improvements NeededAugust 22nd, 2008  By Bob Hennelly Port Authority Executive Director Chris Ward says the region must find a new way to finance tens of billions in essential transportation infrastructure needs. WNYC's Bob Hennelly has this report. Building costs are up and tax revenues are down. New York and New Jersey are already deep in debt. The Port Authority's Chris Ward told the New York Construction Congress raising capital for badly needed upgrades to the region's airports was difficult because airlines are in a tail spin. News from our Members Archives Poll: Raise personal income taxDecember 15th, 2008 Most New Yorkers are in favor of increasing the personal income taxes on relatively wealthy people — but they want that done in concert with budget cuts to remedy the state's fiscal woes, says a poll to be released today by the Working Families Party. New taxes, cuts in budget planDecember 15th, 2008 By James M. Odato Paterson sees $404M tax on non-diet soda; higher levies on health care New taxes, deep cuts to education and health care, and a restructuring of the state's economic development programs will be hallmarks of Gov. David Paterson's first budget plan to be released in two days, according to interviews of people briefed on components. Pain, gain in budget figuresDecember 15th, 2008  Paterson proposal calls for hike in welfare payouts, billions in cuts to health care, education By Irene Jay Liu, Capitol bureau ALBANY — Gov. David Paterson will propose millions of dollars in increased state spending to programs serving poor New Yorkers — including an increase in welfare payouts for the first time in 18 years — when he unveils his first budget Tuesday. But the plan also will include billions of dollars in cuts to health care and education to address the state's looming $15 billion budget deficit. Taxes and Fees to Rise $4 Billion in New York BudgetDecember 15th, 2008  By Danny Hakim and Jeremy W. Peters ALBANY — Gov. David A. Paterson will propose a $4 billion package of taxes and fees on a range of items, from sugary soft drinks made by Coca-Cola and Pepsi to luxury items like furs and boats, when he unveils his plan to close a deficit that has ballooned to $15 billion, people with knowledge of the plan said on Sunday. UnitedHealth to Insure the Right to InsuranceDecember 3rd, 2008
by Reed Abelson For these economically uncertain times, the UnitedHealth Group has a “first of its kind” product: the right to buy an individual health policy at some point in the future even if you become sick. Called UnitedHealth Continuity, the product is not actual medical insurance, but is aimed at people who may have insurance now but are worried they may lose it — and may not be able to obtain replacement insurance on their own. They may expect to retire early, for example, before they qualify for Medicare. Or they are worried about the possibility of losing their job and their health coverage. M.T.A. Warns of Service Cuts and Fare IncreasesNovember 24th, 2008 By William Neuman Deep cuts in subway, bus and commuter rail service could come as early as spring, followed by a double-digit rise in fares and tolls in June, transportation officials said on Thursday as they revealed a gloom-and-doom budget that came with a “cry for help” to elected officials to bail the authority out of its financial crisis. THOMPSON PLAN: REGIONAL WEIGHT-BASED FEES ON PRIVATE, COMMERCIAL VEHICLES TO GENERATE TRANSIT REVENUENovember 24th, 2008 -Thompson also endorses resurrection of commuter tax for a combined potential revenue of more than $1.8 billion annually-In a move designed to meet New York City’s pressing transit fiscal needs, New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. today unveiled a plan to impose a weight-based registration fee on private and commercial vehicles. Tackling NYS' growing budget deficit a grim taskNovember 24th, 2008 By James T. Madore Gov. David A. Paterson is warning that next year's budget will be "grim," with retrenchment virtually everywhere, from schools and hospitals to building projects and social welfare agencies. The cuts will probably be deeper because of last week's failure by Paterson and lawmakers to close a $2-billion hole in the 2008-09 spending plan. That red ink now must be rolled into the projected $12.5-billion deficit for 2009-10, precipitating reductions in spending rather than slowing its growth. Recovery means a hand from D.C.November 20th, 2008 By Malcolm A. Smith Gov. David Paterson's proposals for significant cuts to the state budget are a prudent acknowledgment that our nation's economic problems and the continuing crisis on Wall Street will force big changes in the way we do business in Albany. We're going to have to slash state spending. We're going to have to find unprecedented new efficiencies in government administration. And we won't be able to avoid cuts to some programs that provide valuable services. There's simply not enough money available to pay for everything state government has funded in recent years. But most of all, we'll need bigger and stronger state-federal partnerships than ever. Purchase of Turkish carpet takes taxpayers for a ride?November 20th, 2008 By Rick Karlin Amid crisis, state pays $21,000 for mansion rug Gov. David Paterson's energetic response to the state budget crisis has been the hallmark of his tenure, but even as he was ordering state agencies to cut their spending and warning of even tougher times ahead, his Office of General Services was buying a $21,000 custom-stitched 10-foot-by-15-foot antique carpet for the governor's mansion. BALCONY Issues in the News Archives |
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