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Releases & Statements
(New York, NY January 29, 2003) Responding to Governor George Pataki’s budget address today, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum expressed anger with the Governor for turning his back on the City that gives so much to the state. Pataki’s budget cuts hit our most vulnerable New Yorkers, and ignore Mayor Bloomberg’s request for state assistance.
“Sounding far different than the ‘good times are here’ governor we met last election year, today Governor Pataki showed his true colors,” Gotbaum said. “With tough times bearing down on New York, he chooses to balance the budget on the backs of our seniors, our children and the poor. With a deaf ear, he is ignoring our desperate calls for what is only fair – a commuter tax.”
Pataki’s back-breaking actions and inactions for New York include:
Refusal to Implement a Commuter Tax. Pataki’s refusal to help New York out when we most need it denies the City hundreds of millions of dollars we deserve.
$1.2 Billion Cut to New York Schools. Just as the City is attempting to make headway in restructuring the education system for our 1.1 million schoolchildren, and working to comply with the federal Leave No Child Behind Act, the Governor is setting us back and hurting our children’s opportunity for a bright future.
$1 Billion Cut to Medicaid. Returning to his favorite budget target, Pataki is going after New York’s seniors and the poor, those who can least survive the bite in tough economic times.
Tuition Hikes and Cuts to Higher Education Assistance Programs. Following Pataki’s 1995 tuition hike, undergraduate enrollment dropped by 29,000.
Today’s proposed hikes and cuts will close the door to higher education for even more our children.
33 Percent Subway and Bus Fare Hike. Though the governor insists on no new taxes, this fare hike is a tax on those who can least afford it – working New Yorkers.
“Trying to please national Republicans rather than the people who elected him, Pataki has gone back to his roots – putting the needs of our children, our parents, and the poor on the chopping block,” Gotbaum said. “I pledge to fight these cuts every step of the way, working with Mayor Bloomberg, Speaker Silver and the City’s friends in the State Legislature to protect New Yorkers.”
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