May 16 , 2003

Budget Update

State Legislature Overrides Governor's Vetoes

Less than 20 hours after Governor Pataki vetoed the Legislature's $92.8 million budget, both the Assembly and the Senate completed the overrides on all 119 vetoes. In an unprecedented and coordinated fashion, both the Republican led Senate and the Democratic led Assembly unanimously passed all the overrides. As expected, the only support for the Governor came from Assembly Republicans, with a few exceptions depending on the veto item.

This is the first time the Legislature has turned back a veto plan since 1982. The Governor could undermine this budget by fighting it in court as he had done in 1998 and 2001 (those disputes have yet to make it to a higher court), or by refusing to pay some bills. But we do have a fiscal plan in place which was arrived at 45 days late, but much earlier than in past years.

The Governor waited until yesterday to veto a $1.8 billion assistance package that the Legislature had passed for New York City. That may lead to an override on Monday or at the latest by the end of June.

It was the State's $11.5 billion shortfall and the dire fiscal situation that led to this showdown, with the Governor and the Legislature disagreeing on how to bridge the gap. The Governor wanted to borrow and cut local assistance. The Legislature wanted to raise sales and personal income taxes, borrow and restore aid.

The Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations has a 28-year history as New York's primary service association for community based arts and cultural organizations. The Alliance provides leadership and vision, and delivers services, resources and tools that strengthen community cultural organizations. The Alliance monitors, informs and mobilizes the field on statewide and national issues affecting the arts and assists local arts agencies in building community support and developing effective grassroots public policy.

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