Bishops push for reform of budget process

In a letter to lawmakers, Conference executive director John Kerry said that budgets as late as the current one -- adopted after a four-month delay -- undermine public confidence in the government and may force service providers to resort to expensive short-term financing to meet the needs of their clients.

"The 1999 budget process makes it clear that it is time to revisit reform proposals necessary to minimize partisan disputes over the funds available for spending as well as the establishment of spending priorities," Mr. Kerry stated.

The Conference provided a framework for developing timely budgets, proposing:

* "a consensus revenue forecasting process to determine available revenues, along with budget contingency plans and sufficient reserve funds to guard against revenue shortfalls;

* "allowing additional time for budget deliberations by either advancing the date of the Executive's budget submittal, or delaying the start of the fiscal year;

* "an increased role for rank-and-file members of the Legislature, through the use of conference committees made up of majority and minority members from both houses;" and

* "enhancing public involvement in the process, by making conference committee meetings public, and simplifying both the budget format and financial planning."

Mr Kerry hopes that Catholics will contact their elected officials about reforming the state budget process. He added: "We urge people of good will to join us in advocating for budget reforms...to enact a fair and timely budget that reflects the needs of all of society, especially the poor and needy."

(Contact the New York State Catholic Conference at 434-6195 or www.nyscatholicconference.org.)

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