Pataki budget pleases Catholic Conference

In his annual address on the $88.6 billion state budget, the Governor called for bipartisan cooperation, particularly when it comes to New York's recovery from the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

He also vowed to keep his promise of $300 million in tax cuts and proposed borrowing from the state's reserves to boost New York's economy. In light of the terrorist attacks, he also planned to create an Office of Public Safety to guard places vulnerable to attack.

The Governor proposed keeping school aid on the same level, increasing healthcare spending -- especially for Medicaid -- and creating economic development initiatives to strengthen the state.

'Surprised'

The Catholic Conference expected to see deep cuts in social services and health care, he said, and was pleased that those did not occur.

Now, said Mr. Poust, the Catholic Conference is "calling upon the Legislature to heed the Governor's call for bipartisanship and pass an on-time budget -- which would be the first one in 17 years."

Mr. Poust noted that when the state budget is late, agencies can't plan programs and services for the future, since they have no idea at what level they'll be funded.

Reactions

* He said that the Legislature will be spending a great deal of time examining the education component of the budget. While school aid wasn't cut in the Governor's proposal, he said, keeping funding at the same level "really represents a decrease, when you look at the fact that every year, enrollment increases."

* On the subject of health care, Mr. Poust was pleased to see funds allocated for the recruitment and retention of healthcare workers. However, he cautioned, "that relies on [federal] funds that may not come to be." He was also concerned that there aren't adequate increases in funding for home care for the elderly -- something Mr. Poust called "an important spoke in the wheel of health care."

* Regarding criminal justice, Mr. Poust said the Catholic Conference hopes to see "significant reform" to the Rockefeller-era drug laws this year. But he said that reform must include drug treatment programs: "There's no point reforming the laws if you don't have a place to put the offender."

The Conference sees more good news in Gov. Pataki's plans to reduce the number of prison inmates by 6,000 and eliminate some special housing unit beds.

"Special housing is a solitary-confinement situation, something the bishops have expressed serious concern about," Mr. Poust said.

* On social services, the Catholic Conference applauded the Maternity and Early Childhood Foundation having received full funding, $1.3 million. "We're pleased to see the Governor put enough importance on that to continue the funding," Mr. Poust stated.

Citing the Governor's plan to tap into surplus Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) money, Mr. Poust noted that the Catholic Conference hopes these funds are "used for the people [they are] intended to serve."

Concerns

"We hope we're not putting off the pain for another year," Mr. Poust remarked.

He said the Catholic Conference will also be keeping a close eye on Gov. Pataki's undefined proposal to cut $60 million in "program services."

"We don't really know what that means," Mr. Poust observed. "`Program services' could be educational services, job training, rehabilitation. He's also talking about reducing the prison workforce, which could also involve some of our chaplains. Any cuts in funding should not come at the expense of rehabilitation."

(01-31-02) [[In-content Ad]]