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Thread: Pataki Introduces 2006-07 Executive Budget

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    Pataki Introduces 2006-07 Executive Budget

    GOVERNOR PATAKI INTRODUCES 2006-07 EXECUTIVE BUDGET

    Fiscal Integrity, Economic Freedom, a Secure Future for New Yorkers Plan Controls Spending, Increases Fiscal Reserves to $4B, Proposes $3.2B in Tax Cuts, Boosts School Aid by $634M, Increases Local Government Aid to All-Time High, Advances New Medicaid Anti-Fraud Measures, Provides Strong Support for Public Security and Renewable Energy and Environmental Initiatives

    Governor George E. Pataki today proposed his 12th and final Executive Budget – a soundly balanced, fiscally-responsible plan that promotes fiscal integrity, ensures economic freedom, and secures a strong future for New Yorkers.



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    “Two weeks ago, I set before you an ambitious agenda that builds on the achievements we’ve realized together over the last 11 years, addresses some of New York’s most pressing challenges today, and prepares our state and its people to succeed in the global economy of tomorrow,” Governor Pataki said. “Today, I present you a budget that furthers these and other goals and sets this ambitious agenda into motion. It heeds the lessons and successes of the past, meets the evolving demands of the present, and anticipates and addresses the emerging challenges of the future.”

    “As we go forward, let’s stick to the guiding principles that have seen us through the challenges of the last 11 years. Let’s remain committed to creating jobs and improving our economic climate, building up our fiscal reserves, cutting taxes, restraining spending and debt, and enacting major reforms like those that have made our state a better place.”

    “Today, New Yorkers are safer, more secure and more prosperous than they were when we began our course of progress in 1995. But our work is not done, there’s much more to do. Our journey continues. The path to progress is not always an easy one. But it is the right one for New York and its people. The budget I’m sending you not only sustains our progress, but builds toward a future of unlimited potential and opportunity.”

    The $110.7 billion Executive Budget closes a modest $700 million budget gap and restrains overall spending growth. It increases the State’s total reserves to $4 billion and uses the projected $2 billion 2005-06 surplus to reduce out-year gaps – further strengthening New York’s fiscal outlook. It also reduces the projected 2007-08 out-year gap to $1.9 billion, or less than 4 percent of the General Fund. This compares favorably to the 1995-96 out-year gap Governor Pataki inherited, which was $5 billion or 15 percent of the General Fund.

    Under the 2006-07 Executive Budget, General Fund spending would total $49.6 billion, an increase of $2.4 billion. State funds would grow by $4.6 billion and total $75 billion. All Funds spending would total $110.7 billion, an increase of $4.4 billion. After adjusting for a one-time increase in State spending resulting from last year’s takeover of local Medicaid costs and new proposed enhancements to STAR (property tax relief that is technically treated as budgetary spending) -- the annual percentage increase of each spending category is 2.4 percent for the General Fund, 4.8 percent for State Funds and 2.9 percent for All Funds. Unadjusted annual percentage increases would total 5.1 percent for the General Fund, 6.6 percent for State Funds and 4.1 percent for All Funds.

    The Executive Budget would continue to strengthen the State’s finances while providing a solid framework to allow the Governor and Legislature to enact an on-time, fiscally prudent final State Budget this year. The Executive Budget would reduce property, income and business taxes by $3.2 billion; provide record aid to New York’s schools and local governments; build on the Governor’s successful criminal justice agenda; and include strong support for energy and environmental initiatives championed by the Governor.

    The Governor’s 2006-07 Executive Budget also includes:

    A new “STAR Plus” direct property tax rebate of $400 and provides a new STAR COLA for seniors;
    a new pro-family tax cut package that cuts the income tax rate, eliminates the marriage penalty and estate tax, and provides a $500 heating tax credit for lower-income seniors;
    a new $500 per child tax credit for parents of kids who live in districts with underperforming schools;
    a comprehensive plan to encourage the development of renewable energy, reducing reliance on imported energy;
    more than $1.1 billion in new job-creating business tax cuts;
    a new, wide-ranging Medicaid anti-fraud initiative to combat waste, fraud and abuse;
    a $634 million school aid increase – the largest ever proposed by a New York Governor;
    a new scholarship program for college students who commit to teach math and science in New York;
    local aid increases up to 11 percent for cities and 3.25 percent for towns and villages;
    funding for 100 new State Police investigators to target criminals who illegally possess, use or sell guns;
    $192 million to construct a new-state-of-the-art facility to house and treat sexually-violent predators; and
    the highest amount of funding ever -- $180 million -- for the State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).

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    continued

    FISCAL INTEGRITY AND REFORM

    State finances are strong and healthy, bolstered by the continued strength of the State’s economic expansion. The Division of Budget (DOB) now projects a General Fund operating surplus of $2 billion in 2005-06 -- the third consecutive year that a surplus will have been recorded on both a budgetary cash and GAAP-basis of accounting since absorbing the combined impact of September 11th and the national recession.

    The balanced Executive Budget for 2006-07 builds on the fiscal recovery by:

    Restraining spending in Medicaid and other high-cost programs, which constitutes the vast majority of budget-balancing proposals;
    Keeping spending in both the General Fund and All Funds below the rate of inflation (after excluding last year’s Medicaid cap/takeover of local costs and newly proposed STAR enhancements);
    Bolstering the State’s fiscal reserves to a total of $4 billion -- or 8 percent of spending; and
    Reducing the projected 2007-08 out-year gap to $1.9 billion or less than 4 percent of the General Fund. This compares to the 1995-96 out-year gap Governor Pataki inherited, which was $5 billion or 15 percent of the General Fund.
    Surplus at $2 Billion – 3rd Surplus in a Row

    The General Fund surplus is expected to total $2 billion, $1 billion higher than projected in the Mid-Year Update. Strong growth in tax collections, particularly in personal income taxes and business taxes, has led DOB to raise its General Fund receipts forecast for the current year by $1.4 billion. At the same time, projected General Fund spending has been revised upward by more than $300 million, mainly for Medicaid and transit aid payments now planned for 2005-06 rather than 2006-07. Otherwise, spending trends for the State’s major programs remain generally consistent with the Mid-Year forecast.

    Reserve Levels Approaching Pre 9-11 Highs

    The Budget includes reserves of roughly $4 billion, equal to 8 percent of spending and the second highest level in history.


    The entire 2005-06 surplus is not used to balance the 2006-07 budget, but held in reserve to lower out-year gaps;
    $250 million in resources – including the entire amount of one-time resources in the budget -- is deposited to the Debt Reduction Reserve Fund to reduce high cost debt;
    For the past 11 out of 12 years, the Budget makes the maximum deposit to the Rainy Day Reserve, bringing the total to $945 million, the highest level ever and a five-fold increase over the amount this fund contained in 1995; and
    Other reserves include: $275 million for potential labor settlements with unions that have not yet been reached, $236 million in the Community Projects Fund, $21 million in the contingency reserve for litigation, and $375 million set aside for increased Sound Basic Education aid.
    2006-07 Gap-Closing Plan Promotes Long-Term Balance

    The Executive Budget presents a fully balanced plan for 2006-07 and reduces the budget gap projected for 2007-08 to less than $1.9 billion. The Budget proposals address the structural imbalance by:


    Restraining spending in the fastest-growing programs in the State Budget, particularly Medicaid;
    Setting aside the entire $2 billion from the expected 2005-06 surplus to help reduce the potential out-year gaps in 2007-08 and 2008-09; and
    Providing $250 million in new reserves that will be used to lower state debt.
    Overall, spending restraint constitutes 95 percent of the 2006-07 gap-closing plan of $2.1 billion before recommended spending additions, tax policy changes, and new reserves for debt reduction.

    Budget Reform

    Included with the Governor’s Budget is a comprehensive budget and debt reform plan to promote on-time, balanced budgets with full legislative and public participation. Specifics of the proposal includes:


    Amending the constitution to require the Legislature to enact a balanced budget;
    Giving the Legislature until May 1 to enact the budget, and moving the start of the fiscal year to July 1, in line with 46 other states;
    Requiring legislative conference committees to reconcile budget differences in public each year;
    Requiring “sunshine” reporting for both the public and individual legislators on the short- and long-term fiscal impact of budget changes at least three days prior to a vote to enact the budget;
    Increasing the permanent rainy day reserve to a minimum of 5 percent of General Fund spending;
    Authorizing the Comptroller to set a binding revenue forecast if the Legislature and Governor fail to reach consensus and also ensure the Legislature has enacted a balanced budget; and,
    Increasing Executive reporting, including multi-year fiscal projections, state employee workforce levels, and detailed cash flow projections.
    Debt Reform


    Banning “back-door” borrowing;
    Limiting State debt levels to no greater than 4 percent of personal income;
    Limiting debt service costs to 5 percent of the total budget;
    Limiting debt to capital purposes only, and close existing loopholes that allowed the refinancing of billions of dollars of New York City debt from the 1970s; and,
    Requiring at least half of all new debt to be approved by the voters.
    TAX CUTS

    The 2006-07 Executive Budget builds on the Governor Pataki’s 11 year record of tax reduction — an essential ingredient in continuing to revitalize the economy. The Budget continues the $15 billion in annual tax cuts instituted since 1995 and adds a new chapter to that program.

    It also includes a new tax-cutting program that cuts taxes across the board with an emphasis on middle class tax relief, property tax rebates, and a new tax cuts businesses to invest in New York, nurture emerging industries, protect the environment, and encouraging capital investments. Altogether, the tax cuts included in this Budget will save taxpayers $3.5 billion when fully-implemented. These cuts include:


    Providing rebates of $400 for homeowners in school districts that control increases in school budgets (see Education section for details);
    Providing a COLA for those seniors who receive STAR;
    Eliminating the marriage penalty by increasing the standard deduction for married taxpayers and doubling the threshold where the rate table recapture applies;
    Cut the top tax income tax rate from 6.85 percent to 6.75 percent;
    Increasing the income threshold where the top income tax rate applies from $40,000 to $60,000 for married taxpayers and from $20,000 to $30,000 for single taxpayers;
    Providing an educational income tax credit of up to $500 for qualified family expenses for students in school districts with underperforming schools;
    Reforming the corporate and bank tax by eliminating the alternative minimum and capital bases;
    Reducing the top corporate tax rate to 6.75 percent;
    Eliminating New York’s estate tax by increasing the exemption threshold and then eliminating the tax.
    Enhancing and making permanent the low income housing tax credit;
    Tax credits for the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles and for the production of alternative fuels;
    A new $500 home-heating credit for lower-income seniors;
    A new tax credit for upgrading or renovating residential home heating systems;
    Enhancing the Earned income credit for certain lower-income, non-custodial parents who pay child support;
    Credit for rehabilitation expenditures on historic homes;
    Credit for farmers for property tax on land related to conservation easements;
    Exempting the purchase of Energy Star appliances from sales tax for two tax-free weeks;
    Exempting the sale of alternative fuels from motor fuel and sales taxes;
    Increasing the sales tax vendor credit to help small business owners across the State; and
    Exempting certain admission charges to amusement parks from the sales and use tax.
    The Budget also includes provisions that would close certain tax loopholes and transform existing tax incentives to make them more affordable and effective. These measures include eliminating certain corporate tax loopholes and shelters and converting the permanent sales tax exemption on clothing to two sales-tax-free weeks for clothes and shoes priced under $250.

    ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

    The Executive Budget continues the successful economic development themes that have characterized Governor Pataki's 11 years in office: tax incentives to attract and maintain businesses, capital projects that transform the State and regional economies, and assistance for small businesses.

    Tax Incentives

    In 2005-06, Governor Pataki successfully secured a long term extension and major reforms of the Empire Zones program. In 2006-07, the Governor's budget will build upon this strong foundation in a number of innovative ways, including:


    Creation of five new “Tech Zones”. Each Zone will have a total area of one square mile, to be located anywhere in the State, for companies with business relationships with a Center of Excellence.
    The entire State will be designated as a Statewide Clean Energy Research and Development Zone. Any business primarily engaged in research, development or manufacturing of renewable energy technologies or products will be eligible for Empire Zone benefits. Also, clean energy businesses will be encouraged to establish formal relationships with Centers of Excellence to build even more public/private partnerships.
    Twelve new Zones-- authorized for designation over the next four years in the 2005-06 Budget would instead be designated in 2006 to immediately provide every county in the State with an Empire Zone.
    New Capital Investments Across the State

    The Budget will also continue the Governor's successful policy of investing in strategic capital projects that have the potential to transform the State and regional economies. A new $475 million capital program included in the Budget will provide:


    Funding for cultural projects that would ensure the long-run viability of New York's world-class cultural icons such as the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, and the Adirondack Natural History Museum in the North Country;
    University development projects - such as the University at Albany's Institute for Nanoelectronics Discovery and Exploration (INDEX) - that would continue New York's leadership in support of high tech industries and state-of-the-art research and development facilities;
    Energy programs and initiatives that would lead the way in achieving energy independence and pollution reduction, and ensure that New York would be a capital for new renewable energy industries; and,
    Economic development projects such as the Rivers and Estuaries Center in Beacon and the Albany Convention Center that would draw visitors - including researchers, conventioneers, and tourists.
    Small Business Assistance

    The Budget will also provide support for the State's small business community by expanding the successful Linked Deposit Program. Through this important program, $350 million of State and public authority funds have already been invested in job creating small businesses. To continue this record of success, the Governor’s Budget would increase the program by $60 million to a total of $410 million.

    The Budget would also provide:


    $75.4 million to support traditional economic development programs, such as the Empire State Economic Development Fund (EDF) and JOBS NOW, which provide financial assistance to businesses, municipalities, and not-for-profit organizations for projects that create and/or retain jobs;
    $11 million for the "I ? NY" tourism marketing program, and $4.8 million for tourism matching grants; and
    $1.2 million to support international trade offices, including the establishment of a trade office in China;
    $22.5 million in capital and $7.5 million in operating aid for Governors Island.
    PUBLIC SAFETY & SECURITY

    New York continues to be recognized as a national leader in adopting tough, smart criminal justice policies. Crime continues to decrease, and our children and neighborhoods are safer than ever. New York now ranks as the safest large State in the nation and the sixth safest State overall. The Budget supports the Governor's goal of making New York the safest state in the nation, and provides more than $3.5 billion in State funds to support public safety and security programs by:


    Providing $130 million for the creation of a dedicated facility to house and treat sexually-violent predators who are civilly confined after release from prison;
    Intensifying the supervision of sex offenders in the community, providing $3.2 million in additional funding for the Division of Parole and local probation offices;
    Ensuring that the statewide Sex Offender Registry provides the public with fast and accurate information;
    Adding 100 new State Police investigators to combat illegal gun trafficking in partnership with other levels of government, raising the overall State Police force to an all-time high of 4,884 troopers;
    $13 million to expanded the use of DNA to solve and prevent crimes by increasing the capability of the DNA Databank to test more samples and accelerate processing time;
    Expanding funding for Operation IMPACT by $5 million for communities with high rates of crime;
    Adding $4.8 million to the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to double the number of investigators, improve coordination with Operation IMPACT and local law enforcement, increase fines on businesses which repeatedly violate the ABC law, and enhance the use of technology;
    Providing $6 million in new funding to improve services that help offenders returning to the community from prison to become productive, law-abiding citizens; and,
    Encouraging highway safety by authorizing new fines for motorists who are caught on camera speeding through work zones or dangerous stretches of highway.
    The Executive Budget continues strong support for anti-terrorism efforts throughout the State with a recommendation of $86 million in State funding, including resources for the operation of the new State Preparedness Training Center in Oneida County, and the operation of the Upstate NY Intelligence Center.

    In addition, the Executive Budget supports the construction of the Statewide Wireless Network, which will provide state-of-the-art emergency communications capability to State and local public safety personnel throughout New York. The future costs of this initiative will be entirely supported by cellular surcharge revenues, which will be consolidated in a single dedicated fund beginning in 2007-08.

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    LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

    Since 1995, State budgets have produced nearly $10 billion in positive fiscal impacts for local governments. The Executive Budget builds on this strong record by providing more than $395 million in additional savings and assistance to the State's municipalities. In addition, the Budget includes $1.1 billion in local fiscal relief for counties and New York City resulting from the State cap on local Medicaid expenditures and the takeover of the Family Health Plus program enacted last year.

    The Budget provides $925 million for the Governor’s Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) program, including a $50 million increase in aid for cities, towns and villages, and a $22 million expansion of shared services incentive grants for all municipalities. Highlights of the 2006-07 AIM initiative include:


    Fiscal Performance Incentives for Cities: On top of the 12.75 percent AIM increases provided in 2005-06, all 61 cities outside New York City would be eligible for additional 2006-07 increases ranging from 3.25 percent to 11 percent, based upon per capita property value. Over this two-year period, 42 high need cities eligible for the maximum AIM allocation would have received a 25 percent increase – consistent with the original commitment made by the Governor when he proposed AIM in 2005-06. To qualify for AIM increases in 2006-07, all cities will be required to use the additional State funding to provide property tax relief and take other steps to improve local fiscal performance.
    Additional Aid Increases for Towns and Villages: Following a 3.75 percent increase in 2005-06, all 1,485 towns and villages would receive additional AIM increases of 3.25 percent in 2006-07, raising aid for towns and villages by $4.5 million over a two year period.
    New Fiscal Performance Awards Beginning in 2007-08: Upon completion of the initial two-year program period AIM would shift to a full performance-based approach that directly rewards successful local property tax relief efforts. In 2007-08, cities outside of New York City, and all towns and villages would receive a minimum 2.5 percent annual increase in aid. To receive annual “performance awards” providing up to a 7.5 percent annual aid increase, eligible municipalities would submit fiscal performance reports documenting local property tax relief efforts. New AIM increases would generate another $50 million in State support during 2007-08, and commensurate increases in each year thereafter.
    An Expanded Shared Municipal Services (SMSI) Incentive Program: To help contain property tax growth, the SMSI program would be increased from $2.75 million to $25 million. Under this program, local governments can apply to the Department of State for grants to support the costs of implementing cooperative efforts including mergers, consolidation and shared services initiatives. In addition to increasing the existing SMSI program from $2.75 million to $5.5 million, the redesigned program would also target incentive awards to specific areas including: $4 million for shared highway services; $4.5 million for local employee health insurance savings initiatives; $1 million for the development of countywide shared services programs; and, $10 million for grants to support local government consolidations/mergers.
    Other savings and new assistance for local governments that include:
    $41.1 million increase in positive local impacts in the welfare area for counties and NYC, including additional support for the Flexible Fund for Family Services;
    $24.8 million in new criminal justice assistance, including increased reimbursement for parole violators and state-ready inmates held in local jails, as well as additional funding for Operation IMPACT and local crime labs; and
    $18.4 million to strengthen support for the State’s public health and aging programs.
    A comprehensive mandate relief agenda that would yield substantial local property tax savings: Full repeal of the Wicks Law would give local governments the flexibility to achieve cost savings ranging from 10 to 30 percent on public works projects. In addition, the mandate relief proposals would reform binding arbitration practices, relieve localities of certain litigation costs, and provide localities with more flexible local procurement options.
    A new $44 million local aid program to assist municipalities in which Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) facilities are located. Beginning in the 2007-08 SFY, this new funding source would provide New York City and Yonkers with $20 million to increase support for their dependent school districts. Other smaller municipalities would receive up to $700,000 to help offset the local cost of hosting these facilities while minimizing local property tax growth.
    $20 million for a new Efficiency Incentive Grant (EIG) program, to support efforts to reduce the cost of government in Erie County and Buffalo. Originally authorized under the 2005 Erie County Fiscal Stability Act as a five-year $50 million effort, the EIG program would be accelerated and paid in three years beginning with a $20 million appropriation in 2006-07.
    HEALTH CARE

    Over the last 11 years, Governor Pataki has implemented many initiatives to strengthen the State's health care system. The Executive Budget continues full support for those initiatives, including the cap on local Medicaid spending, the takeover of Family Health Plus, programs to expand health insurance coverage for the u

    ninsured and reform efforts such as the Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century's review of our health care infrastructure. The Governor's Budget builds on those accomplishments by: advancing a multi-faceted plan to ensure the integrity of the Medicaid program, including establishing an independent Medicaid Inspector General and dedicating additional resources to combat fraud, waste and abuse; producing more than $1.3 billion in State savings from cost control measures that will reign in escalating Medicaid costs; and making targeted investments to support the Governor's reform agenda and address critical public health priorities.

    Protecting the Integrity of the Medicaid Program

    The Budget advances a comprehensive integrity plan to further enhance and strengthen New York's efforts to combat fraud, waste and abuse in the Medicaid program by:

    Establishing an independent Office of Medicaid Inspector General in statute to prevent, detect, and investigate fraud and abuse and coordinate anti-fraud efforts of all state agencies funded by Medicaid;
    Creating fraud fighting partnerships to fully utilize the State's resources to combat fraud and support task forces with Federal and local law enforcement agencies;
    Proposing a series of statutory reforms to strengthen the State's ability to combat fraud; and,
    Investing $15 million in new resources to bolster anti-fraud efforts.
    Paving the Way for the Transition of Medicare Part D

    Beginning January 1, 2006 due to Federal changes, Medicaid is no longer available to cover the prescription drug costs for individuals eligible for Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligibles) who under the new Federal rules must now enroll in Medicare Part D for their prescription drug benefit.

    Due to the start-up problems being experienced with the Federal Medicare Part D program, last week the Governor directed the State's Department of Health to pay all pharmaceutical costs of Medicaid recipients eligible for Part D coverage for the next seven days to ensure that these individuals have access to the prescription drugs they need. The State will seek reimbursement of these costs from both Washington and from the health insurance plans that are receiving federal subsidies to provide drug coverage.

    The Governor's Budget provides resources to ensure that all dual eligible individuals have a safe and seamless transition to Part D. In the current year, $5 million has been allocated to support a range of activities to assist the transition including education and training. In addition, the 2006-07 Executive Budget includes more than $200 million in funding to support:


    A six-month transition period (through July 1, 2006) during which the Medicaid program will continue to fund all medically necessary drugs in the event they are not available under Part D; and,
    Continuation, on a permanent basis, of a "wrap around" benefit under Medicaid for certain critical drugs used in the treatment of mental illness, HIV/AIDS and organ transplants.
    In connection with the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage Program (EPIC), the Budget requires low-income seniors to participate in Part D as a condition of EPIC enrollment. Eligible seniors will benefit from lower co-pays and will receive EPIC coverage for any drugs not provided from a Medicare Part D plan.

    Reforming and Improving the Long-Term Care System

    The Budget advances a comprehensive proposal to reform and improve the Long Term Care system so that it is more efficient, affordable and better meets the needs of our elderly and disabled. These reforms:


    Promote Access to Appropriate and Cost-Efficient Services: The Budget increases funding for the Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly Program, the "Access to Home" Program that which makes residences more accessible to elderly and disabled individuals, and community-based care initiatives;
    Close Eligibility Loopholes: Advances legislation to close Medicaid eligibility loopholes which allow individuals to simply refuse to contribute any of their assets towards the cost of health care services; and,
    Preserve Integrity and Promotes Efficiencies: The Budget proposes nursing home measures to limit the reimbursement of Adult Day Health Care to actual costs incurred by providers, require providers to offset inflationary increases and initiate delinquency billings for outstanding nursing home assessments.
    The Governor's Budget advances a five-year plan to restructure nursing home reimbursement, which will provide more than $340 million annually in new savings once fully implemented. The plan updates rates to use 2003 data instead of 1983 data that is currently used-phased in over a five-year period-and eliminates inappropriate and outdated rate enhancements. The Governor's plan also calls for a working group to conduct a comprehensive review of the rate methodologies for hospitals and nursing homes to ensure that State investments are consistent with the efforts underway to eliminate unneeded institutional capacity.

    New Measures to Control Medicaid Costs

    To make Medicaid more affordable for taxpayers while still ensuring that New York spends more on health care than any other State in the nation, the Budget includes approximately $1.3 billion in cost-saving measures:

    Implements Pharmaceutical Savings Measures: This includes strengthening the Preferred Drug Program to encourage the appropriate and cost-effective use of prescription drugs; bringing pharmacy reimbursement more in line with actual acquisition costs; eliminating funding for drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction; and other actions to reduce inappropriate early refills and maximize drug rebates;
    Proposes Measures to Control Hospital and Clinic Costs: These include reforming the reimbursement for uncomplicated detoxification services to promote more cost effective treatment options; requiring providers to offset inflationary cost increases; limiting the reimbursement for Graduate Medical Education (GME) to actual costs; eliminating an outdated volume adjustment to hospital rates; and enhancing the ability to selectively contract with hospitals to provide specialized high cost procedures;
    Advances Family Health Plus Reforms: The Budget eliminates the inappropriate use of the program by large businesses, increases co-pays for inappropriate emergency room visits and requires mandatory cost sharing to preserve the affordability of the program; and
    Recommends other initiatives such as expanding managed care for special populations.
    Health Care Reform Act (HCRA): The Budget fully funds HCRA through its current sunset date of June 30, 2007 and ensures the long term fiscal stability of HCRA by proposing measures to maximize resources, including increasing the per pack tax on cigarettes by $1. Proceeds from the conversion of any not-for-profit insurers to for-profit status will be dedicated to HCRA, similar to the Empire Blue Cross conversion. The Budget provides funds for programs such as health care workforce recruitment and retention and Child Health Plus. In addition, the Budget provides funding for other priorities, such as Anti-Tobacco Programs, Excess Medical Malpractice, and new funding to provide for medications and supplies in the event of a pandemic outbreak such as Avian flu. Providing Essential Public Health Services

    The 2006-07 Executive Budget includes nearly $2.7 billion for critical programs that provide direct health care services to New Yorkers, including:

    $232 million for the General Public Health Works program, which supports county public health activities;
    $208 million for the Early Intervention Program that helps infants and toddlers;
    $118 million for the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo;
    $97 million to address women's health care and the nutritional needs of women, infants and children;
    $81 million for State-operated veterans' nursing homes in New York City, Oxford, Batavia, and Montrose;
    $11 million for the newborn screening program, which provides free screenings for 44 disorders; and
    $2.5 million to promote sexual abstinence and prevent pregnancy among adolescents.
    In addition, the Executive Budget includes $3.4 billion from all funding sources to help affected New Yorkers and their families combat HIV and AIDS.

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    EDUCATION

    Through a combination of increased investment and reforms to promote improved educational performance and accountability, the 2006-07 Executive Budget provides a blueprint for ensuring a bright and prosperous future for all of our children.

    The 2006-07 Executive Budget will build upon our past investments with an increase of $634 million in school aid -- the largest increase ever proposed by a New York Governor. This $634 million increase is comprised of two components -- a $259 million increase in traditional school aid and a $375 million increase in Sound Basic Education (SBE) Aid. This increase will bring the State's total investment in general support for public schools to nearly $17 billion. This infusion of additional resources will be accompanied by a series of initiatives to promote improved efficiency and accountability.

    Preparing the Workforce of the Future

    To provide our State with the intellectual capital necessary to compete in a 21st Century economy, the following initiatives to strengthen math and science programs are proposed for 2006-07:


    “Partnership for Prosperity”: A newly created Science and Technology Taskforce will develop a statewide plan to strengthen science and technology education through public/private partnerships;
    Engineers of the Future: The Budget provides $5 million to enable 500 middle and high schools to develop pre-engineering programs to help increase the number of students pursuing engineering careers;
    Summer Institutes for Math/Science: The Budget funds a new $5 million program, including $2.5 million for summer math/science programs at community colleges for middle school students and $2.5 million to support university-based programs designed to refresh and renew the skills of math/science teachers;
    Teachers of Tomorrow: The Budget provides a $5 million increase, bringing this total program to $25 million, to provide recruitment incentives and tuition reimbursement to expand the pool of math/science teachers entering the teaching profession via alternative certification;
    Math and Science Teaching Initiative: The Budget funds a new initiative to provide a total of 500 annual scholarships equal to SUNY tuition to students who commit to teaching math or science in New York's public schools for five years; and,
    Expansion of STEP/CSTEP: The Budget doubles funding to $19 million for the Science and Technology Entry Program/Collegiate Science and Technology Program (STEP/CSTEP) to increase the number of underrepresented students successfully pursuing math and science in high school and college.
    Charter Schools

    The Budget includes the following measures designed to expand public school choice in New York:


    Charter School Cap: Increase the charter school cap from 100 to 250 charter schools;
    Chartering Authorization for Not-for-Profit Organizations: Expands the entities authorized to grant charters to include not-for-profit organizations approved by the SUNY Board of Trustees;
    Charter School Cap Calculation: Charter school conversions authorized by the Chancellor of New York City schools would not count against the existing statutory limit on the number of charter schools — as is currently the case for charter school conversions approved by parents; and,
    Building Aid for Charter School Construction: The Budget makes Charter School facility projects eligible for State building aid reimbursement in a manner similar to State building aid reimbursement for Special Act School Districts.
    New STAR PLUS Initiative

    The 2006-07 Budget proposes a new $530 million STAR Plus program to recognize and reward homeowners in school districts that restrain spending. Under STAR Plus, a rebate check of $400 will be provided to homeowners residing in school districts that adopt a spending cap. The spending cap will be established at 4 percent, or 120 percent of the growth in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is less. Expenditures driven by enrollment increases, voter-approved capital projects and other specified purposes outside of the district's control are exempt from the cap. Finally, districts who adopt the spending cap will receive a 2 percent Flex Aid bonus beginning in the 2007-08 school year.

    Reforming the School Voting Process (RSVP)

    The 2006-07 Executive Budget recommends reforms to the school voting process, including:


    Requiring school districts to hold a single vote on their school budget, with no revote; and,
    Requiring all votes on bond resolutions to be held on the single statewide voting day for school budgets.
    Promoting Performance and Efficiency

    The Budget proposes new initiatives to promote educational performance and efficiency, including:


    Additional Flex Aid to school districts that show significant improvement on statewide achievement tests,
    New Pathfinder Awards and Trailblazer Awards for schools across the State to recognize outstanding educational performance and exceptional operational efficiency; and
    A 2 percent Flex Aid bonus beginning in the 07-08 school year for districts abiding by a spending cap.
    Building Aid Reform

    Since Governor Pataki took office, State support for school construction has grown from $536 million to $1.6 billion in 2006-07. To ensure the cost-effective use of State and local resources to address school facility needs the Executive Budget proposes to:


    Exempt all school districts from Wicks Law mandates, saving 10 to 30 percent of construction costs;
    Provide Dormitory Authority’s centralized technical expertise and assistance to school districts; and,
    Modify the building aid formula to include a simplified reimbursement methodology.
    Special Education Reform

    The State’s special education finance system currently provides unintended fiscal incentives for children to be placed in restrictive settings. The Budget advances reforms to conform the reimbursement formula for private special education programs to the same formula used for public school special education programs.

    To promote coordination and efficiency in the delivery of preschool special education services, the Budget establishes a Task Force, chaired jointly by DOH and SED, to determine the appropriate relationship between Early Intervention and preschool special education.

    BOCES Reform: Beginning in 2006-07, BOCES will be required to demonstrate savings for services (such as telecommunications) compared to existing State contract prices available through the State Office of General Services. In addition, the Budget contains reforms to ensure that taxpayers will not be expected to fund educational services that exceed the costs of comparable services provided by individual school districts.

    New Education Tax Credit: Effective in the 2006 tax year, a refundable income tax credit will be available to qualified families in school districts with under-performing schools. This credit can be used to support tutoring, after-school programs, primary and secondary school tuition and other eligible education expenses. In the 2006 tax year, this refundable income tax credit of up to $500 will provide families an estimated $400 million in savings.

    Cultural Resources: For the coming year, the creation of a Cultural Education Trust within the State Education Department is proposed to provide recommendations on the investment of $20 million to enhance the public display of the collections of the State Museum, Library and Archives and $20 million for a new climate-controlled facility for such collections. Also, Arts grants will total $40 million, an increase of $2.6 million.

    HIGHER EDUCATION

    The 2006-07 Executive Budget reaffirms New York's commitment to excellence in higher education, with additional funding provided to support the operations of our public colleges and targeted initiatives that strengthen academic programs and promote economic development.

    SUNY/CUNY Operating Support

    Total General Fund operating support of $2 billion for SUNY reflects an increase of $34.4 million. When combined with revenue authority of $1.1 billion, SUNY's gross operating budget totals more than $3 billion -- an increase of $115.4 million. For CUNY, General Fund operating support of $775.3 million reflects an increase of $27.2 million. When combined with revenue authority of $640.6 million, CUNY's gross operating budget totals $1.4 billion -- an increase of $72.8 million. The Budget also recognizes the authority of the SUNY and CUNY Trustees to manage their resources and provides the Trustees with the flexibility to generate additional revenues.

    SUNY/CUNY Community Colleges: Support for SUNY and CUNY community colleges is increased by $100 per student from $2,350 to $2,450 per student.

    Empire Innovation Program: The Budget proposes a new Empire Innovation Program for SUNY and CUNY. Under the Empire Innovation Program, $6 million is provided to SUNY to attract 200 new research faculty over three years, beginning in 2006-07. This new funding will help SUNY compete for research grants, generating additional revenue through the growth in patents and indirect recoveries. The Empire Innovation Program will provide $5 million for CUNY to support critical research projects, academic programs and Master Plan initiatives.

    Tuition Policy

    The Budget contains legislation to eliminate various existing restrictions on the SUNY and CUNY Trustees to establish tuition charges and to adopt a tuition increase prior to the enactment of the State budget. In addition, the legislation authorizes the SUNY and CUNY Trustees to:


    Adopt a tuition policy permitting annual incremental adjustments to tuition, based on an inflation index;
    Adjust tuition levels to respond to any future reduction in State taxpayer support or an inability to fully fund fixed operating expenses; and
    Enable the Trustees to establish appropriate differential tuition rates at the systems’ various institutions.
    In addition, the Budget authorizes the SUNY Trustees to guarantee a fixed tuition rate for up to four years for entering resident undergraduate students who maintain full-time enrollment and complete their degree programs within four years.

    Capital Investments: The Budget calls for additional capital investments at SUNY and CUNY totaling $125 million ($90 million for SUNY and $35 million for CUNY) to support critical infrastructure and facility projects. The budget reappropriates $4 billion for SUNY and $2 billion for CUNY to continue multi-year capital plans.

    Faculty Trustees at SUNY/CUNY: Legislation accompanying the Executive Budget will add a distinguished faculty member as a voting member of the Board of Trustees at SUNY and CUNY. The faculty Trustee will be appointed by the Governor from a list of candidates submitted by the Chancellor.

    Partnership to Accelerate Completion Time: The Budget proposes a new Partnership to Accelerate Completion Time (PACT) program to promote timely and successful college graduations. Under PACT, students make a commitment to graduate on time, and participating public colleges make a commitment to provide all necessary courses for timely graduation. The State will provide participating public colleges with financial awards of $250 for each additional on-time associate degree conferred and $500 for each additional on-time bachelor degree.

    Diplomas of Distinction: The Budget authorizes a new program to provide high school students who graduate with 6 or more college credits and an average of 90 or above with certificates of distinction.

    Financial Aid/TAP: The Budget maintains New York's ranking as a national leader in state-funded need-based student assistance with $783 million in support for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). The Budget proposes a series of reforms to ensure taxpayer funds are invested wisely and to protect students from exhausting their TAP eligibility prior to degree completion.

    Math and Science Teaching Initiative: The Budget establishes a new scholarship program for students enrolling at public or private colleges who make a five-year commitment to teach math and science in middle or high schools located within the State. This program provides 500 annual tuition reimbursement scholarships to students attending public or private colleges in New York. Scholarship amounts will be equal to the tuition charged at the State University of New York or actual tuition, whichever is less.

    Increased STEP/CSTEP Funding: The Budget proposes to double the funding for the STEP/CSTEP program in 2006-07 to $19 million to expand the enrollment of under-represented students in math and science.

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    ENVIRONMENT

    Under Governor Pataki’s leadership, New York has become a national leader in protecting and enhancing the environment, preserving valuable open space and providing recreational opportunities for New Yorkers and visitors alike. The Governor's 2006-07 Executive Budget increases the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to continue to fulfill that mission, while providing more than $1.4 billion for environmental and recreational programs.

    Environmental staffing initiatives in the Governor’s Budget include:


    43 new staff for the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), including 15 for DEC stewardship and land management projects; 7 for enhanced wetlands regulation; and 21 for critical inspection and compliance functions such as dam safety and animal feeding operations;
    12 new staff for operations and maintenance of newly acquired or expanded State parks including the recent acquisitions of State Parks in Otsego and Tioga Counties and Amsterdam Beach on Long Island;
    $7.4 million for staff costs associated with the Brownfield Cleanup Program are provided.
    Funding initiatives include:


    $180 million in new Environmental Protection Fund support for such important environmental priorities as open space and farmland preservation, stewardship of State lands, the Hudson River Park, municipal recycling, restoration of historic barns, and nonpoint source pollution control projects. This funding level represents an all time high, a 20 percent increase over 2005-06 and a 700 percent increase since Governor Pataki took office;
    Full funding of $135 million for the State Superfund and Brownfields Program to clean up oil spills and hazardous waste and substance sites, and to return brownfields to productive use;
    Nearly $14.8 million for the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan, Jamaica Bay and Hudson River swimmable projects;
    $177.6 million in new State and Federal funds for the State Revolving Fund low-interest loan program to build and rehabilitate municipal sewage treatment facilities;
    $63.2 million for clean air programs to limit pollution from industrial sources, automobiles, and heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks and buses;
    $52.6 million for fish and wildlife programs supported by the Conservation Fund;
    $10 million for the clean-up of Onondaga Lake;
    $5.3 million to enforce and monitor the New York City Watershed;
    $30 million for DEC capital projects to maintain Department facilities and meet State and Federal environmental requirements. Also, $3 million in new funds will be dedicated to State fish hatchery improvements;
    $27.5 million is recommended to support the Waste Tire Management Program;
    $1.7 million to establish a new ATV development program that will complement the State’s new ATV policy;
    $42 million for ongoing development of the Hudson River Park, including $5 million in State funding from the EPF, $11 million from other Capital funds and $26 million to enable the advancement of New York City funding;
    $31.2 million from the State Park Infrastructure Fund to maintain and improve State parks and historic sites;
    Continuation of more than $6 million for the New York Heritage Trail program, which is dedicated to the identification, preservation and promotion of historically significant places in New York State;
    $3 million in new funding to local county fairs to expand and enhance agricultural exhibits and operations; and,
    $40 million in new facilities capital appropriations for the construction of a new food laboratory for the Department of Agriculture and Markets. This new facility will replace an outdated facility and ensure that the agency is prepared to detect/prevent the spread of environmental and food contaminants and bio terrorism threats.
    ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

    Building on more than a decade of innovative renewable and clean energy initiatives, the Executive Budget provides the foundation for the Governor’s new plan to reduce New York’s reliance on imported energy. The Plan would increase opportunities for New Yorkers to choose renewable fuels; foster research and deployment of critical technologies such as efficient and flexible fuel motor vehicles, advanced bio-refineries, clean coal gasification; and offer tax credits and other incentives that would help position New York to become a worldwide center for clean, renewable energy research, product development and job creation.

    The Governor's plan to reduce dependence on petroleum would focus on key strategies to diversify our supply of fuels, increase the efficiency of motor vehicle fuel consumption and build markets and opportunities for new clean energy companies. (For more details, see the Governor’s 1/16/06 press release on this plan at www.ny.gov/governor/press/06/0116062.html)

    MENTAL HYGIENE

    The Governor’s 2006-07 Executive Budget continues the progress that has been made to provide high-quality, cost-effective services to New Yorkers with special needs. It provides $6.1 billion for the Offices of Mental Health (OMH), Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD), and Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), the Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, and the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council.

    Strengthening Local Community-Based Program Performance

    The Budget provides a three-year Consumer Price Indexed-Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for eligible human services programs in OMH, OMRDD, and OASAS to boost provider recruitment and retention and assist with such inflationary costs such as liability and health insurance, energy and rent increases. A 2.5 percent COLA is proposed effective October 1, 2006, providing $17.2 million to eligible providers and annualizing to $35 million in 2007-08, when a second COLA would be awarded. Additionally, a new $6.5 million is included to enhance stipend payments which cover rent to operate about 10,100 Supported Housing beds.

    Enhancing Services to Children

    Children are the State’s most valuable resources and their physical and mental development is critical to the future of New York. Accordingly, the Governor’s recommendations include:


    $15 million in OMH to enhance mental health services including $10.5 million for a new Children and Family Clinic Plus demonstration program to expand mental health screenings to 400,000 children annually and $3.5 million to add 300 new Home and Community Based Service (HCBS) waiver slots;
    $3.2 million in OMRDD to expand family support services for autistic children and their families and to initiate new research at the Institute for Basic Research on Staten Island to address increasing incidences of autism; and
    $2 million in OASAS for a new adolescent outpatient treatment program and $24 million in new capital funding to develop 108 community beds for adolescents and women with children.
    Providing Greater Opportunities for Persons with Developmental Disabilities

    As part of OMRDD’s nationally renowned New York State Creating Alternatives in Residential Environments and Services (NYS-CARES), the Budget supports 1,500 new residential and 4,400 new day and family support service opportunities in the community. The Budget also builds upon OMRDD’s highly successful New York State – Options for People Through Services (NYS-OPTS) by converting several hundred “traditional” residential models to more innovative, supportive environments.

    Promoting Agency Coordination to Improve Services

    The Budget aims to improve coordination of services across the various State agencies to provide more comprehensive care at a lesser cost to taxpayers. These inter-agency collaborative reform efforts include:

    $165 million in new capital resources and $27 million in operating support to allow OMH and DOCS to house and treat sexually-violent predators that are being civilly-confined;
    $7.7 million to advance the first phase of the NY/NY III-Supportive Housing Agreement – a ten-year joint New York City/State initiative that will provide 9,000 community residence beds for the homeless, of which 5,550 will be for the seriously mentally ill;
    $3.2 million for OASAS and NYC Department of Homeless Services to implement three medically-supervised detoxification units in City shelters to link individuals to treatment;
    $6 million for a joint OASAS/Division of Parole pilot using community-based initiatives to coordinate chemical dependence screening and treatment for parolees;
    $7 million in ongoing funding for DOCS and OMH to expand mental health treatment for inmates;
    $3.7 million to advance OASAS’ $2 million “Underage Drinking-Not a Minor Problem” campaign;
    $1.5 million combined with $400,000 in Federal funds to expand OMH’s public suicide prevention efforts;
    $2 million for OMH and the Office of the Aging to implement the 2005 Geriatric Mental Health Act;
    $5.3 million for an OASAS/OCFS project to co-locate child welfare and chemical dependence specialists to direct persons to treatment and reduce foster care;
    $2 million in OMH/OASAS to initiate a new managed care program for those with co-occurring disorders; and,
    $2 million in OASAS to establish a Veterans’ Enhanced Treatment Services (VETS) initiative for 50 beds primarily for military veterans returning from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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    FAMILY ASSISTANCE AND HUMAN SERVICES

    The Executive Budget reaffirms New York’s strong commitment to working families. Continuing the Governor’s focus on work over welfare, the Executive Budget proposes a bold initiative --Strengthening Families Through Stronger Fathers -- which is designed to increase earnings for non-custodial parents between the ages of 18 and 35 -- giving them the ability to play a meaningful role in the lives of their children. The initiative provides an enhanced EITC, strengthens the courts ability to encourage employment among non-custodial low-income parents, and adds funding for pilot employment projects in five local social services districts.

    The Executive Budget continues to provide localities with the tools to address remaining public assistance caseloads by providing more than $1 billion to the Flexible Fund for Family Services. The Fund consolidates several programs and includes an increase of $21.5 million for local social services districts. The Flexible Fund permits local governments to use their allocations for federally-allowable purposes like child care, employment programs for welfare recipients, and services to prevent placement of children in foster care.

    In addition, the Executive Budget includes a $13 million increase in the Local Administration Fund – which will assist local social services districts in meeting increased work participation rates.

    The Budget also provides General Fund support of $655 million for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for the aged, blind and disabled — maintaining a generous level of monthly individual SSI benefits.

    To continue the State’s successful efforts to move recipients towards employment and self-sufficiency and off welfare, the Budget would:


    Align the amount of earnings a family may retain while receiving assistance with the length of time the family has been on welfare;
    Withhold welfare grants if the head of the household fails to fulfill their employment obligation; and
    Increase local accountability for meeting work participation rates.
    Children and Families

    The Budget promotes the well-being of children and their families by providing more than $3.2 billion through the Office of Children and Family Services to support a full range of essential programs. Of this amount, more than $1.5 billion will support a child welfare system that has been reformed to encourage local investments in services that prevent out-of-home placements of children. Major initiatives include:


    $378.5 million for the Foster Care Block Grant, a flexible funding source to facilitate the continued reduction in the number of children placed in foster care, including $5 million for a COLA for foster care providers;
    $381.7 million for child welfare services, a nearly $30 million increase, which would support 65 percent of all local spending for prevention, protective and other services necessary to protect abused and neglected children, prevent foster care placements and reunite families when deemed appropriate for the child;
    Nearly $2 million to expand the Office of Mental Health's home and community-based waiver by 150 slots to meet the mental health needs of children in foster care or at risk of institutional placement;
    $193.5 million for adoption subsidies, a $9.5 million increase, including $2 million for a COLA to help find stable homes for foster children who cannot be reunited with their parents;
    $27.5 million for Advantage Schools, a $7.3 million increase to support these after-school programs;
    $5 million for demonstration projects that will improve access to substance abuse prevention services and treatment for families served by the child welfare system;
    $14.2 million for community based services that help troubled youth avoid incarceration or transition successfully back into the community; and
    $1.9 million to continue the child welfare quality incentive fund to promote innovative service models.
    In addition, the Budget provides $506 million for the Child Care Block Grant, the State’s primary vehicle for providing low-income families with access to high quality child-care services. The enhanced TANF Flexible Fund for Family Services will also be available to support child care. Districts will have the discretion to determine the amount of TANF funding they use for this purpose.

    Under Governor Pataki, New York has also made unprecedented progress in strengthening its child support enforcement program. Since 1995 annual child support collections have more than doubled, and collections are expected to reach $1.55 billion in 2006 — the largest amount in State history.

    TRANSPORTATION

    Under Governor Pataki’s leadership, New York has dramatically increased funding for transportation agencies by investing more than $102 billion to improve highways, bridges, transit systems and other transportation infrastructure. Also, since 1995 New York has revolutionized the way travelers pay for transportation services through MetroCard and EZPass and has progressively ensured that transportation user fees and taxes are devoted entirely to transportation purposes. This year, the Budget includes the highest level ever of DOT construction project levels, totaling $1.85 billion, and unprecedented mass transportation operating assistance totaling $2.5 billion.

    The Executive Budget continues the five-year State transportation plan enacted in 2005-06 that provides almost $36 billion for the State’s transportation systems through 2009-10, including more than $17.9 billion for the Department of Transportation (DOT) capital program and more than $17.9 billion for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) capital program. The 2005-06 to 2009-10 State transportation plan is funded primarily by State revenues dedicated to transportation, Federal aid, the $2.9 billion Rebuild and Renew New York Transportation Bond Act of 2005, and various user fees.

    The economic growth, business expansion and job creation spurred by the Governor’s tax reductions and strategic investments will continue to create new demands on our transportation system. Additional resources will be needed to fully fund the MTA and DOT in the final two years of the five-year plan period and to address future funding for important projects like East Side Access, Second Avenue Subway Phase I, the Manhattan-JFKtrnsoratonlik ndth nedd mpovmetstoth Tppan-Zee corridor.

    If the State continues to rely exclusively on traditional transportation taxes, fares and fees to meet its needs, the burden on New Yorkers will not be sustainable. Accordingly, the Budget proposes legislation to authorize new Transportation Development Partnerships that would allow DOT, MTA, the Thruway Authority and others to partner with the private sector to complete projects faster and with less demand for public resources. Other states have successfully adopted such partnerships, expanding construction while providing taxpayer relief. Public control would continue to be exercised over all partnership projects and facilities.

    Also, the Executive Budget includes funding for the following initiatives:


    $1.85 billion for highway and bridge construction contracts;
    $739 million for DOT project engineering and program management;
    $329 million for local highway and bridge improvements through the State's CHIPS and Marchiselli programs;
    $50 million for multi-modal transportation projects at the State and local levels;
    $47 million for rail passenger and freight improvements;
    $44 million for the capital programs of non-MTA transit systems;
    $23 million for airports and aviation facilities;
    $10 million for canal revitalization initiatives; and
    $9 million to continue the Industrial Access Program that supports job-creating businesses with rail and highway access improvements.
    As a complement to the Governor's energy plan, the Executive Budget also includes a significant increase in transit aid, to ensure that systems can deliver affordable service despite the dramatic rise in fuel prices. Transit service offers an energy-efficient alternative to travelers throughout the State. The Executive Budget provides $2.5 billion to transit systems across the State. This unprecedented support increases transit funding by $380 million, or 18 percent, helping transit systems meet the commuting and mobility needs of a growing economy. The MTA would receive more than $2.1 billion - an increase of $318 million, continuing the State's strong support for the critical role the system plays in the City’s overall economy and also Lower Manhattan’s recovery. Other systems would receive $379 million, an increase of $62 million, or 19.5 percent. To ensure that the allocation of transit resources more closely matches the regional sources of collection, the Budget redistributes the transit share of transportation taxes among the upstate and downstate transit operating funds, rather than devoting the full tax to downstate as in prior years. This reform would provide $23 million to upstate transit systems.

    The Budget also provides support to implement two new pilot programs for the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) designed to continue DMV’s improvement in customer service:


    $596,000 to administer the Internet Point Insurance Program (IPIRP) enacted in 2005. This program will allow drivers to reduce license points through successful completion of an Internet-based driver safety course; and
    The installation of self-service kiosks in several high-volume DMV offices to offer customers high-speed processing of standard DMV transactions as an alternative to counter service.
    MANAGING STATE GOVERNMENT

    Over the past 11 years, Governor Pataki has dramatically streamlined the State workforce while maintaining its ability to provide quality services and respond to public needs. In January of 1995, the Executive Branch workforce totaled 211,200 filled positions. With this Budget, the State workforce will total about 191,100 filled positions by March 31, 2007, a decrease of 20,100 positions, or approximately 10 percent since 1995. This significant workforce decline has been accomplished through the use of an aggressive hiring freeze, flexible employee transfer policies and retirement incentives.

    Overall, the 2006-07 State workforce level will be approximately 400 positions less than the 2005-06 level. To assist in this reduction, the Executive Budget proposes a targeted retirement incentive program focused on positions that can be eliminated through organizational restructuring, streamlining and shared services efficiencies.

    The Budget also advances several new initiatives related to procurement and agency operations:

    Reforms to strengthen the State’s purchasing and contracting practices by making permanent critical laws governing procurement, and by updating various thresholds and procedures for buying goods and services;
    Authorization for OGS to buy power directly from suppliers to provide significant savings to State; and
    $75 million for the OFT to construct a new consolidated data center to address growing needs for secure space with adequate power and cooling capabilities, while providing increased efficiency and improved service delivery.

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