State Budget Reform:
This week, Governor Spitzer, Assembly Speaker Silver and Majority Leader Bruno proposed changes in the state budget process. Highlights include:

• "Quick start" budget discussions will be required each November and quarterly meetings will be held thereafter between executive and legislature;
• The consensus revenue process will be expedited;
• The State Comptroller will be authorized to resolve disputes over revenue;
• Plain language impact statements will be prepared on a range of program areas, including local governments;
• The legislature will resolve budget bill disagreements by prompt referral to joint conference committee.
• The legislature will be statutorily required to enact a balanced budget;
• The legislature will be required to explain fiscal impacts of changes it makes to the governor's budget bills;
• Lump sum appropriations, including “member items,” will be itemized.
• There will be a new "rainy day" fund, setting aside three percent of the General Fund in reserve, which will be added on top of the current two percent “rainy day” fund for a total of five percent. The new fund can be used in the event of economic downturn or disaster.

However, the start of the state’s fiscal year will remain April 1, which is before the income tax collection deadline, thereby impeding accurate revenue estimates. There will continue to be member items, but each grant will be subject to public scrutiny and a governor’s veto.

Comptroller Selection:
Candidates had until noon on Friday to submit their resumes and have until Monday to file financial disclosure statements with the state Ethics Committee for the Office of Comptroller. The position was vacated when Alan Hevesi, re-elected to his second term, resigned last month after pleading guilty to a felony for use of a state car and staffers for his ailing wife. Sheldon Silver’s office said they would release the names of the candidates on Monday. On Tuesday there will be a public hearing to question the candidates. Under a system proposed by Governor Spitzer, former comptrollers will narrow the field to five candidates for the legislators to consider. The legislature, dominated by Democrats will vote on the new comptroller in a joint session. Speculation surrounding the candidates centers on: Bill Mulrow, Richard Brodsky, Felix Ortiz, Thomas DiNapoli, Alexander “Pete” Grannis, Joseph Morelle and Diana Taylor.

New Appointees:
Richard Daines MD is being nominated to serve as Commissioner of the Department of Health
Diana Jones Ritter is being nominated to serve as Commissioner of the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.

Upcoming Events:
Annual NYS Association of Black & Puerto Rican Legislators conference for 2007 will be held February 16th—18th in Albany. Somos El Futuro weekend is April 27—29 in Albany. Details soon.

• Monday, January 22nd
  • Senator Jim Alesi [R]
    Chair—Commerce
    Albany, $400
  • Senator George Maziarz [R]
    Chair—Labor
    Albany, $450
• Monday, January 29th
  • Senator Serphin Maltese [R] Chair—Cities
    Albany, $500
  • Assemblymember Daniel Burling [R]
    Albany, $250
  • Assemblymember Harvey Weisneberg [D]
    Albany, $300
• Tuesday, January 30th
  • Assemblymember Gary Finch [R]
    Albany, $250
• Monday, February 5th
  • NYS Senate Republican Campaign Comm
    Albany, $1,000
  • Senator George Onorato [D]
    Ranking member—Labor
    Albany, $250
  • Senator Kevin Parker [D]
    Ranking mem—Energy & Telecommunications
    Albany, $300
  • Assemblymember Will Barclay [R]
    Ranking member– Insurance
    Albany, $250