Governor Announces Vetoes
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With charges that the Legislature’s spending plan is grossly unconstitutional, the Governor vetoed $1.3 billion in spending and $1.9 in tax increases. Governor Pataki announced his position at a Wednesday night press conference at the Capitol. In his words, the New York State Supreme Court has declared that legislature's role in the budget process is very circumscribed. They can only eliminate an appropriation, reduce an appropriation, increase an appropriation, or add a new item specific to his budget proposal. They cannot alter the Governor's proposals, and especially with this year’s dire budget situation, the lawmakers’ spending plan shows an “unwillingness to confront the very real challenges head-on” and will only create future budget gaps as well as jeopardize the state’s credit rating. The Legislature has been steadfast in it’s position to override any vetoes the Governor hands down. Senator Bruno and Speaker Silver reaffirmed this position yesterday, countering that the additional $1.9 billion (above the Governor’s proposed $90.8 billion budget) would be garnered from sales tax and highest-bracket personal income tax, and was needed to prevent “double-digit” local property tax increases. Senator Bruno expects the overrides to be completed Friday. When asked if the Governor would go to court if the Legislature voted to override his vetoes, Pataki refused to speculate, but he did bring suit against the Legislature in1998. All additional funding for the Office for the Aging has been vetoed by the governor. Click here to view line item vetoes. |
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