Albany Update Volume 4 - March 12, 2004 Budget News This week's budget news is that the legislative leaders have agreed that new revenues will be in the range of $150—$500 million. This has been portrayed as a step forward in budget negotiations because it allows the parties to move ahead on settling more minor issues. Previously the Assembly had predicted revenues of about $650 million more, and the Senate $225 million more than the Governor had projected in his proposed budget in January. Agreement must be reached on a number of proposals that will effect the amount of funding available, including proposals to expand the operation of video lottery terminals and the conversion of certain not-for-profit corporations. In the absence of an agreed upon revenue number and resolution of these other revenue issues, it is difficult or impossible to make decisions regarding restorations of items to the budget. It is also hard to make progress on other budget-related issues because the leaders prefer to make those decisions in the context of the full budget. While the agreement on budget revenue range is a step forward, many issues remain to be resolved. Although there is still a possibility that there will be an on-time budget (meeting the April 1st deadline), time is running short. Given the amount of time it takes to negotiate, re-write, print and vote on the budget, there is usually a two week lapse between the leaders' agreement and the passage of the budget. As always, we are carefully monitoring the budget process and will keep you posted. Lobby Day Reminder — Again We know many of you have lobby days scheduled and we want to remind you that the lines to go through the security check points at the Capitol and Legislative Office Building have caused considerable delays. Please allow time to go through these before your first appointments with legislators and their staffs. And PLEASE keep your personal items to a minimum (coats, bags, backpacks etc..) this will help things move along more smoothly and quickly. Upcoming Fundraisers Monday, March 15th Senator John DeFrancisco [R] Chair, Judiciary - Albany, $375 Senator Owen Johnson [R] Chair, Finance - Albany, $500 Senator Raymond Meier [R] Chair, Social Services - Albany, $300 Assem. Jeff Brown [R] Ranking Member Government Operations - Albany, $175 Assem. Paul Tonko [D] Chair, Energy - Albany, $400 Assem. Robert Warner [R] Ranking Member, Energy - Albany, $250 Tuesday, March 16th Senator Martin Billan [D] Ranking Member, Social Services - Albany, $250 Senator Pat McGee [R] Chair, Alcoholism - Albany, $357 Senator Nick Spano [R] Chair, Investigations - Albany, $500 Assem. Ron Canestrari [D] Chair, Higher Education - Albany, $250 Assem. Herman "Denny" Farrell [D] Chair, Ways & Means - Albany, $500 Assem. Donna Ferrara [R] Ranking Member, Insurance - Albany, $250 Assem. Brian Higgins [D] Albany $250 Assem. Joe Peralta [D] Albany, $250 Thursday, March 18th Assem. Adam Clayton Powelliv [D] Albany, $250 Monday, March 22nd Assem. Adam Bradley Assem. Luis Diaz Assem. Sam Hoyt Assem. Peter Rivera If you have any questions about fundraisers, please call Sandy in the Albany office, 518 462-4620. Back to newsletter list

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