I would like to thank Chairman Denny Farrell and Chairman Ron Stafford d the other members of the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Finance Committee for giving me this opportunity to testify on the impact on New York City of the Governor's proposed fiscal year 1996-1997 State budget. In the past, the State Legislature has had a very short time to considea very complex budget. For that reason, I commend Governor Pataki for sending his budget to the Legislature a month early. Providing more time to discuss and debate the issues can only help obtain a better end product. I hope it will also result in a budget that is passed on time.
Late budgets are costly.
When the State budget is late, aid to the City is delayed and the City runs short of cash. I am the one who has to delay payments to City vendors and social service agencies. We saw last year how disruptive that can be for small businesses and for many needy people. I hope we can avoid such needless pain this year. In reviewing any proposed budget or legislation, I think we have a responsibility to analyze as best we can the potential impact of our actions.