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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. January 14, 2009: The following conditions have been determined by computations based upon WPCNR review of the White Plains School District 2008-2009 School Budget Summary, and are based upon WPCNR reporting and knowledge of factors affecting the school budget 2009-2010. Not all factors may come true, in light of the state legislature controversy over the Governor’s budget cuts and the possibilities of massive government aid to ease the New York State Budget Crunch.
In the absence of any budget figures provided by the School District prior to the Community Forum that takes place Thursday evening, WPCNR offers this Situation Sheet to update those not following school budget history with an overview of factors that may or may not determine the 2009-10 budget
STATE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT
SITUATION SHEET
Prepared by The White Plains CitizeNetReporter
1.Last Year’s Budget: $184.4 Million.
2.Budget has risen an average 6.4% a Year Over the last 11 years. This occurs automatically in part due to the compounding effect of the school budget expenses such as automatic step increases, and general inflation.
3.Inflation rate (White Plains adjusted) over the last 11 years has averaged 3% a Year.
4.2008-2009 Budget, if increased at the 6.4% Average(last year the budget increased 5.95%)
Would hit 196.3 Million, assuming District Revenues (property tax, school aid, other revenues remain the same.)
5. Over those 11 years School Property Taxes increased at an average rate of 7.83% a year, in the current tax year (2008-2009) they increased 5.98%
6.In 2009-2010 if the 6.4% average raise holds, the budget will be about $196.3 Mllion if there are no cuts in the budget and spending remains at the same levels, and no school aid (or other revenues) decline. If spending increases, and it is likely it may for several reasons, the budget could move higher.
7.Assessments as of 1st of January are down to $288.4 Million from $291.8 Million of 2008-2009 according to the City Assessor.
Should the assessment figure remain at the $288.4 (rounded off here from $288,371,173) Million figure, the decline to $288.4 Million creates a current $1.7 Million revenue shortfall (projected) in district revenues which in and of itself increases the tax rate from $503 to $510 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
If property owner challenges due by January 21, lower assessments more, the shortfall will necessitate further increases in the tax rate.
8.Relation of Assessments to Tax Rate.
For those unfamiliar with the formula of how Assessments drive the tax rate: Here is a simple explanation
This budget year 2008-2009 assessments were at $291.8 Million for the School District
In the new Budget Year 2009-2010, the Assessor as of Jan 1 pegs them at $288.4
This year’s Tax Rate was $503.01
How was it figured? Here’s how:
$1,000 goes into $291.8 Million, 291.8 Times. 291.8 times $503.01 equals $146.8 Million – this year’s 2008-2009 tax levy.
Since preliminary assessments are down 3.4 Million (from $291.8) this means that at this year’s tax rate you only generate $145.1 Million in levy, leaving a shortfall of $1.7 Million in revenue. By adding $7 to the tax rate the district makes up that shortfall. ($510 x 288.4 produces $147 Million dollars.
So the tax rate needs to go to $510/$1,000 to just raise the LEVY you Raised for this year $147 Million.
The upshot of this is that, as you can see means that for every additional increases the district is forced to lay on over the $184.4 Million to do what they want “for the kids,” is all well and good, but you have to increase the tax rate or receive aid or “relief” to cover it.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER
9.The school district and the teachers are in mediation proceedings on the school teachers contract. Teachers desire to make up 17% rise in benefits costs to teachers that wiped out their 3% raise based on their last one year contract. District has at this point according to the teachers union refused to make an offer since last June.
10.Ifthe mediator recommends a 3% raise in line with the area 2.7% inflation rate then salaries will go up more than the $83.8 Million they were paid this year, and any increase will be retroactive covering the last 6-1/2 months. If the mediator suggests a 4% or 5% raise then the budget is impactedeven more, when added to the 2% automatic step increase in effect annually for teachers in the first 20 years they are employed.
Currently there are 651 full-time teachers employed by the district. Half of those teachers do not receive step increases for longevity , since they have been employed in the district more than 20 years. Their salaries are determined by whatever salary settlement is reached. This will be a major stumbling block to a frugal settlement, in view of the benefits costs that rose 17% over the life of the contract that expired last June.
11.The teaching assistants are members of the CSEA. That union contract expires in June, creating another looming settlement for the district to negotiate in the spring.
12.A 4% increase in salaries adds 3.36 Million to the budget in teacher salaries (at $84 Million ) plus the 1.7 Million in automatic 2% increase…so a settled Teachers contract at 6% (2% in annual longevity raise and 3 to 4% in salary will push the budget to $201 Million.
13.If the mediator settlement comes down to 2.5% in salaries the district is better off of course. But it remains to be seen whether the step increase remains the same. A 2.5 and a 2% step raise would still raise salaries for half the teachers to 4-1/2% overall. Depending on whether the mediator recommends 3%, 3-1/2%, 4%, 4.5% or 5% in salary raises, the salary budget increase could range $5 Million and up. There is the possibility the mediator could recommend no raise and steps only.
14.Benefits:
WPCNR has learned is that the recommended increase as part of the statewide health benefits plan the district participates in will hit 4%. That means another $1.6 Million on the $40 Million in benefits paid last year and that pushes the budget to $202.6 Million. You may begin to see how these various factors if all come into play will pushing the budget up past the $200 Million level.
15.On the Adminstration Side, the present budget has $10.5 Million in administrative Salaries.
Last year in June the district awarded 42 Full-time Coordinators/Directors/Principals/ and Assistant Administrators an average 7.5% in raises (totaling $444,000 plus in salary increases). The average increase in dollars was $10,500 plus.
The district employees 1 Teacher for every 13 students, and one Administrator for every 13 full-time teachers.
16.School Aid: The state has threatened to trim school aid.
Last year White Plains received a 14% increase in school aid. If there is a cut from that…this is more revenue the district has to make up.
17.The major contribution to the budget are salaries and benefits. ($140 Million).
18.Tax Impact.
Just doing rough numbers, if the district spends at the same rate,
If we hold at $196 to 197 Million to make up assessments and pay for the current spending
We go from $503 to $546 per/$1,000.($7 for reduced assessment, $39 for increased budget)
$2.5 M to $5M and up in salaries (teachers)$8.67 (Minimum)$555/M
$1.6 in Health benefits — $6M $561/M
$4M in Administration and Debt Service Increase
AID Cuts……………………………………………$14 —$575/$1,000
Median Home Assessed at $15,145 — $8,700 in School Taxes UP $1,082 from this year.
19. Major Budget Lines not considered as going up:Transportation, Utilities, “Other,” BOCES
20.There have been no cuts in spending as of this date by the school district. No attrition of employees. The District continues to replace persons leaving the district. Programs are being approved
21.School District Monday night was told the district is going to bond for the $16 Million in infrastructure improvements as part of the bond and Bond $8 Million for certioraris.
The rationale was bonds are offering very low interest rates now and contractors are eagber for work so project will save district money.
22.The State is considering decreasing the STAR Exemptions both BASIC and ENHANCED STAR by 18% this is going to cost the taxpayer another $300 and $600 each in school taxes
23.Coming up the Community Forum on Thursday evening.
No budget numbers so far announced. School District says they want input on how to structure the budget, and what is “important” to the people of White Plains. As late as last night the District adised the CNA they would not present a Premliminary Budget Thursday evening.
Presently there has been no effort by the district to cut expenses this year.
WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. By John F. Bailey. January 14, 2009. UPDATED 5 P.M. E.S.T. UPDATED 7:15 P.M. E.S.T.: Paul Wood, City Executive Officer, reported to WPCNR today White Plains sales in the recently completed Holiday season were down 11%.
White Plains collected $11,886,191 in sales taxes in October, November and December, down 11% from the WPCNR forecast, had overall sales kept pace with 2007 indicating total 2nd quarter sales were down 12%.
In the “holiday quarter,” October, November, December of 2007, the city received $11,841,285 in sales tax. This year’s handle is about $45,000 more despite a 1/4% increase in sales tax this year. That the city sales tax collections kept pace with last year indicate that the 1/4% sales tax offset the decline year to year of 12% in overall sales.
WPCNR estimated earlier this year that if sales maintained the 2007 pace, 2-1/4% of sales the city would have received $14 Million in sales tax last quarter. In the first quarter of this fiscal year, July-August-September, the city economy generated $12, 476,731 in sales tax, up 14.3%.
In the holiday quarter of 2008, Wood said the sales tax is up 0.4%.
Mr. Wood said the city was still on target to make budget ($45.4 Million in anticipated sales tax collection in fiscal 08-09, but he was “not optimistic.”
“This shows glaringly the effect of the loss of the additional 1/4% the Mayor had requested last year,” Mr. Wood said. Wood referenced Mayor Joseph Delfino’s request of the Common Council in fall of 2007 to raise sales taxes 1/2% last fall, only to be rebuffed by the Common Council and Assemblyman Adam Bradley, who instead ended up asking the state legislature for 1/4%. “Had we gotten that 1/4% (sales tax), we’d be in good shape,” Wood said.
Susan Habel Commissioner of Planning said the 1/4% that did not happen would have covered the $2 Million decline in mortgage tax and declines in licenses and building permits the city is suffering due to a dead stop of new construction in the city. To date there are six city-approved site plans by WPCNR count: 55 Bank Street, The Venue, two condominium projects on Maple Avenue, Kensington Assisted Living Project, North Street Community, and the 1133 Westchester Avenue hotel and office buildings approved that are on hold.
Wood said the Mayor is going back to city departments to make more cuts in their budgets. He could not at this time predict what the city deficit might be. Last year the city generated $11.2 Million in the third quarter and $10.7 Million in the fourth quarter in a different economic environment at the old sales tax rate.
If the present rate of purchasing in the city sustains itselt the city should just make its sales tax handle:
1st Quarter: $12,476,731
2nd Quarter, $11,886,191
3rd Quarter, 11.2 Million (Last Year)
4th Quarter, $10.7 Million (Last Year)
Total Sales Tax: $46,262,922
(if collections in Quarter 3 & 4 Match 2007-2008 pace.)
Back to Budgets
Wood said the Mayor has no choice but to go back to all city departments and ask for more budget cuts to curb spending now.”I can’t wait until March, because then it’s too late, the money will all have been spent,” Wood said.
Wood said he was asking departments to do more reviews now. He ruled out early retirement offers and held out the possibility of full-time employees being fired.
Previously the Mayor had ordered 10% cuts in Department spending. About 21part-time employees to date have been targeted to be let go. 6 Department of Public Works employees used in March and April to get fields ready have been fired and 4 employees from the Ebersole Rink. The White Plains Public Library is considering firing 11 more part-time employees, and cutting out Sunday hours to meet a $400,000 budget cutting target.
The Library Board meets this evening to discuss options at the library in a meeting at 7 P.M.
No Documentation Yet
To date, despite repeated requests by WPCNR, city hall has not issued a detailing of the cuts in all departments and how the cuts are shared by each department in actual dollars, and how they are made up. Heat has been turned down at city hall. Some employees have been reported bringing electric heaters from home to keep warm in the municipal building.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, the School District in the midyear of its budget year, by contrast has not taken any budget cutting moves on the current budget now being spent.
Hotel Sales Tax Killed by Republicans in Senate: Back Story
In another effort to generate more revenue for the city, last year the city attempted to get Albany to pass a Hotel Tax for White Plains. This failed too, as WPCNR alluded to in the first edition of this story
WPCNR reported that Mr. Bradley had declined to offer the Hotel Sales Tax, also requested by the Mayor. WPCNR was contacted by Adam Bradley’s office which revealed the actual sequence of how the hotel sales tax met its end in Albany.
Jay Peltz, an attorney with Adam Bradley’s office advised WPCNR that Assemblyman Bradley had offered the hotel tax bill in the Assembly and had gotten it passed by the Assembly. Mr. Bradley, according to Mr. Peltz, got State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer to carry the Assembly Bill to the senate, only to have it blocked by Republican Senators in the State Senate.
According to Peltz, the Republicans did not want Ms. Oppenheimer to have any bills to her credit, because Republican Liz Feld was challenging for Ms. Oppenheimer’s seat. Peltz said Assemblyman Bradley contacted the Mayor’s office and advised them that the Senate Republicans were blocking the Hotel Tax Bill and because they did not want Ms. Oppenheimer to be able to point to any bills to her credit. Peltz said Mr. Bradley urged the Mayor’s office to get the City Albany lobbyists to work on the Republicans in the city interest on the hotel tax bill. Apparently the effort, if any, by the city lobbyists failed.
WPCNR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS. January 14, 2009: The Co-Presidents of the White Plains Council of Neighborhood Associations , Candyce Corcoran and Louis Bruno, have sent a letter to the White Plains Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors expressing the concern of 30 residents attending the monthly meeting of the CNA last night. The meeting was held with the topic being the school budget and the movement to rethink County Government.
Candyce Corcoran, of Soundview Neighborhood Association, Louis Bruno of Bryant Gardens, Co-Presidents at the Council of Neighborhood Associations Tuesday evening.
After hearing a report on present school budget trends over the last 11 years, requested by the CNA and presented by John Bailey, The CitizeNetReporter, based on school district reports of the 2008-2009 budget, and noting the possible effects of economic conditions and factors that might impact the budget, citizens sharply criticised the lack of information going into the School District-sponsored Community Forum, the first of a two-part District-sponsored community meetings on the budget. The two-meeting Forum replaces the previous community budget process that employed an Annual Budget Committee, that met three to four times and always had a preliminary budget to work with to ask questions about.
The CNA letter today expresses the following concerns raised by about 30 participants at the meeting:
The letter expresses the concern of those in attendance of the district failure to provide a proposed budget and its potential impacts on district taxpayers before the Community Forum on the budget.
It criticises the Board of Education for allowing labor negotiations into a state-provided mediation procedure, relinquishing local leverage and exposing the taxpayers to the recommendations of “outsiders.”
The letter charges that residents attending the Tuesday meeting have reservations that the Community Forum to be held tomorrow at White Plains High School is design by intent of the School District to “co-opt” consent. Here is the CNA letter:
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Dear Mr. Connors and White Plains School Board
The White Plains Council of Neighborhood Associations (WPCNA) meeting last night (1/13/2009) was lively and informative, with over 30 concerned residents showing up to discuss the school budget and the community-wide forums. The sense of the meeting was of a pressing need for dramatic change.
Everyone was mindful of
the unprecedented economic conditions affecting the global economy,
particularly of the impact on residents trying to get by on fixed incomes, and
the importance of education to our future.
There was widespread disappointment that the labor negotiations have gone to mediation, essentially passing control of the largest part of the budget to outside agents. The hope was expressed that the benefit packages for new hires will be substantially reduced this year.
There was general consensus that the need for quality education and the state of the economy dictate
a zero-based budget, i.e. not one layered on last year’s, but a fresh budget derived from needs and goals;
increased class size and decreased overtime, with the model of Scarsdale being mentioned, which is known for high quality and low costs;
asking teachers and administrators to do more with less, particularly fewer aides and assistants;
attention to details in paring support costs to a minimum, with suggestions made about cutting back on transportation, conserving energy to reduce utility costs, and minimizing maintenance expenses.
There was general skepticism about the new community-wide forums supplanting the citizen budget committees, with the new mechanism being viewed as co-opting dissent rather than empowering change.
In particular, it was felt that a draft budget should have been made available ahead of the forum.
Many felt that the budget process in the past was expensive and unproductive. We hope this summary of last night’s WPCNA forum is helpful to you and the School Board both in understanding the prevailing sentiment and in producing an effective budget.
Regards,
Candyce Corcoran and Louis Bruno Co-Presidents of WPCNA
WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. From Cushman & Wakefield (EDITED) January 14, 2009: The White Plains Centeral Business District lead the county in office leasing activity, eroding only slightly, according to Cushman & Wakefield, the office leasing giant according to the company’s quarterly report to the media Tuesday. Central Busienss District rentals decreased 87 cents from $34.94 a year ago (end of 2007) to $34.07 at the close of 2008.
In the White Plains Non-Central Business District, rents remained level, averaging $32.12 per square foot in the fourth quarter of 2008, up from $31.98 psf in the third quarter, and even with $32.12 psf in the fourth quarter of 2007, perhaps showing a shift of business locations into a lower rent district, WPCNR notes.
In Westchester County, office lease demand for office space was down in 2008.
In the White Plains Non-Central Business District, rents remained level, averaging $32.12 per square foot in the fourth quarter of 2008, up from $31.98 psf in the third quarter, and even with $32.12 psf in the fourth quarter of 2007, perhaps showing a shift of business locations into a lower rent district, WPCNR notes.
Overall lease throughout Westchester County was down in 2008.
The most significant transactions that closed in White Plains in Quarter 4 were a 25,982-square foot lease for Wachovia Securities at 1133 Westchester Avenue, and a 15,470 sf lease for Allstate Insurance at 660 White Plains Road, Tarrytown.
Office Building real estate sales were slowed by the credit crunch affecting multi-million dollar deals and experienced the average price per square foot drop 37%.
The news about White Plains market, the strongest in Westchester County according to C & W in a softening market, was part of Cushman & Wakefield’s year-end report for the Westchester County commercial real estate market, showing new office leasing activity for Class-A space in the region totaling approximately 1.2 million square feet (msf) in 2008, down from 1.67 msf leased in 2007, the lowest number since 2001.
“Despite turbulence in the economy, the office leasing market in Westchester County remained steady overall in 2008,” said Jim Fagan, senior managing director, and head of Cushman & Wakefield’s Fairfield and Westchester County region. “Unlike some markets in the tri-state region that are home to a large number of companies in the financial services sector, Westchester County will weather the current economic environment and prosper due to the assorted mix of businesses based here.”
In the fourth quarter, WestchesterCounty experienced 122,078 square feet (sf) in Class-A leasing activity, a drop from the 354,007 sf leased during the third quarter, and down significantly from 457,216 sf leased in the fourth quarter of 2007.
The slowdown brought available direct Class-A space in WestchesterCounty to 3.9 msf in the fourth quarter, up from the 3.55 msf available at the end of 2007.Of that available space, 498,953 sf is sublease space.
Overall Class-A vacancy rates countywide in the fourth quarter registered 18.3%, on par with the previous quarter, but higher than the 16.6% reported in the fourth quarter of 2007. The market has shifted from one with a lack of supply to a lack of demand. As with most markets, employment softness in 2008 is expected to lead increases in vacancy, but due to limits in new supply the number is projected to head down later in the year.
Incentives to lease proliferate — including free-rent, tenant-improvements.
Overall asking rents for Class-A space countywide at the close of the fourth quarter averaged $31.77 per square foot (psf), level with the $31.79 psf average at year-end 2007.
Although asking rents have increased slightly overall, achievable rents have gone down and concessions, such as free rent and tenant-improvement allowance, have become more generous, resulting in much lower net effective rents for tenants.
Overall absorption for Class-A space in 2008 in Westchester County, was down 172,870 square feet, compared with positive 79.948 square feet leased in the fourth quarter of 2007. Total absorption numbers countwide in 2008 were down 531, 364 square feet, compared with the 2007 figure of a negative 1,753 square feet.
Mr. Fagan said, “The good news is that the region’s fundamentals will remain relatively sound due to the long-term contractual nature of leases and tenants with pending lease expirations, combined with the fact that very little new product has been constructed in Westchester Countyover the past two decades.”
The investment sales market in WestchesterCounty slowed considerably in 2008 due to the sharply constrained credit markets, mirroring national trends. There were only two major property sales that took place during the fourth quarter: 1311 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, a 325,600 sf building which sold for $81.95 million; and 100-120 White Plains Road a 211,000 sf property in Tarrytown which sold for $48 million.
Lending for Big Ticket Building Purchases “Arduous at Best.”
In Westchester County, the average price psf for office buildings paid in 2008 was $247 psf, well below the average of $395 psf in 2007. Future investment sales activity will be driven by long-term acquisitions with short-term debt.
“Real estate lending has become arduous at best and, as a result, investment sales activity plummeted significantly over the past year,” said Mr. Fagan. “While investing will not be for the faint-of-heart, there is real opportunity for owner-occupiers as well as investors looking to deploy fresh capital to purchase assets at historically low prices.”
WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. By John F. Bailey. January 12, 2009: Town of Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner issued a statement on the Town of Greenburgh website Saturday he had been advised that an 18% cut in the STAR exemption is presently incorporated in Governor David Patterson’s 2009-10 budget. The Governor’s proposed 18% STAR cut was first reported by WPCNR two weeks ago.
Feiner foresees dire school tax consequences if the STAR Exemptions were enacted: “The cut in STAR exemptions, if enacted by the NYS Legislature, will result in higher school property tax bills since your school tax bills will not be subsidized by STAR to the degree that they once were. Schools, like every municipality, county, fire district, state governments are experiencing budget difficulties EVEN without STAR being cut. So this is very bad news.”
Mr. Feiner confirmed to WPCNR that Greenburgh is suffering from the legislature’s very quiet 10% slashing of the 2008-2009 STAR exemptions, because the town assessor’s office computed the STAR exemption incorrectly in original property tax bills to residents.
Feiner reports Greenburgh has sent out additional property tax bills to residents because his own assessor had missed this year’s 10% cut in the STAR exemptions so silently enacted. (No news releases announced the 10% cut, just letters were sent to assessors to announce it from Albany.)
Feiner is sensitive to state STAR tinkering because the 2008-2009 10% cut in the State STAR Exemptions that taxpayers receive as deductions from their assessed home values was so “quietly”enacted by the State of New York, some local assessors missed it completely. The Town of Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner confirmed to WPCNR Saturday, was one of those.
WPCNR had been advised of Greenburgh residents receiving additional property tax bills with the last month because of an error in Greenburgh computing the tax. Thousands of Town of Greenburgh residents are receiving additional bills from $50 to $100 based on the 10% cut in the STAR BASIC and ENHANCED exemptions, Feiner confirmed.
The 10% cut statewide helped to fund what was described locally as “additional education aid” was exclusively reported by WPCNR last April. No other media reported the state legislature decision to lower the STAR. Some local towns did not get the message. Greenburgh was one.
Feiner confirmed the oversight to the CitizeNetReporter: “A few Assessors in Westchester made similar mistakes – the state reduced STAR benefits in April and the town didn’t catch the mistake.” Feiner believes that Harrison, Yorktown and Mamaroneck also made the same mistake, and had to send out additional bills.
How Greenburgh handled the tax fallout:
“The town sent out a supplemental bill to all the residents,” Feiner said in a statement. “Most people received a bill that was in the low – mid $100 range. They would have had to pay the same amount to the town if the initial bill had been sent out correctly. The town is a collection agent for the school districts.
“I received a few complaints from residents and for the most part most people were understanding when we explained the reasons for the error. In the future we will be extra careful before tax bills are sent out so I don’t think this mistake will happen again.”
Another additional 18% STAR CUT Planned in Governor’s Budget.
WPCNR asked Mr. Feiner what the town expected would be the impact of Governor David Patterson’s announced 18% cut in the STAR exemptions this year, as reported by the Department of Real Property Services newsletter.
January Property Tax Monitor First Announced Governor’s STAR Cut plan: Above and below.
A WPCNR call to the Governor’s press office two weeks ago to determine if the 18% STAR cuts would erase the expected $2.7 Billion 2008 budget gap the state is now experiencing, has not been returned as yet.
Feiner said he did not have a handle on the impact on Greenburgh, saying “the assessor will provide board members with specific dollar estimates –highlighting the impact of the STAR cuts in each of the different school districts (in Greenburgh). The school district is independent of the town. But– the STAR cuts will increase school taxes.”
Feiner observed: “The poor economy, school tax increases, state tax hikes on new items –is having an indirect impact on town officials. Residents, who supported the funding of some programs, are now speaking out against some initiatives they previously had supported.”
Asked about his reaction to the STAR Cuts and the possible 18% cut, Feiner issued this statement:
“ I am not pleased with the way the state has handled the STAR cuts. I also believe that there is a need to take a new look at how governments in NYS are structured –we need to rethink the need for a county government, look at restructuring governments at every level — more sharing.”
Greenburgh Website message:
On Saturday, Feiner posted this message to the Town of Greenburgh website to his constituents, amplifying his concern and calling for government cuts in spending:
“I have been advised that the Governor’s submitted budget cuts an additional 18% from the STAR benefits. In recent years the state has been reducing STAR benefits to taxpayers who receive basic STAR and those seniors over 65 who receive enhanced STAR.
School districts are independent of the town.
The cut in STAR exemptions, if enacted by the NYS Legislature, will result in higher school property tax bills since your school tax bills will not be subsidized by STAR to the degree that they once were.
Schools, like every municipality, county, fire district, state governments are experiencing budget difficulties EVEN without STAR being cut.
So this is very bad news.
If a school tax bill stays flat (which won’t happen) you still will experience a school tax hike because of the significant STAR reductions.
I have asked the Assessor to provide the town with an analysis of the impact the 18% proposed STAR cut could have on each of the school districts within the town.
Members of the NYS Legislature will be reviewing the Governor’s proposed budget in the coming months and are constitutionally required to approve a budget by April 1st.
Although the town and school districts are independent of each other – the additional tax burdens that will be placed on schools highlight (in my opinion) the need for all governments to look for ways to tighten our belts, to make government more efficient. The Town Board and I will devote significant resources reviewing all operations in the town.
WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From U.S Department of Homeland Security. (EDITED) January 12, 2009: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today reminds travelers from all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries that they are now required to obtain approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to traveling to the United States. This requirement, effective today, applies to all eligible citizens or nationals traveling under the VWP.
The VWP is administered by the department and enables eligible citizens or nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
The countries eligible for VWP are:
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
To be admitted to the VWP, a country must meet various statutory requirements, such as more enhanced law enforcement and security-related data sharing with the U.S. and timely reporting of both blank and issued lost and stolen passports. VWP members are also required to maintain high counter-terrorism, law enforcement, border control, and document security standards.
You check in on Web.
ESTA is a web-based system, initially launched in August 2008, that determines the preliminary eligibility of visitors to travel under the VWP prior to boarding a carrier to the United States. To date, more than 1.2 million ESTA applications have been received, and more than 99.6 percent of applicants have been approved, most within seconds.
“We have been collecting information from visa waiver travelers for decades, and establishing a program to get that same information in advance is one enhancement that allowed us to extend the valuable benefit of visa-free travel to eight new countries in 2008,” said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. “In addition to building business and cultural ties with our partners overseas, this is a commonsense step into the 21st century that will improve our efficiency in screening and welcoming international travelers at our ports of entry.”
In effect since 2007
DHS received authorization for VWP reforms through the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007. The VWP is administered by the department and enables eligible citizens or nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
To be admitted to the VWP, a country must meet various statutory requirements, such as more enhanced law enforcement and security-related data sharing with the U.S. and timely reporting of both blank and issued lost and stolen passports. VWP members are also required to maintain high counter-terrorism, law enforcement, border control, and document security standards.
The citizens or nationals of the following countries are currently eligible to travel to the United States under the VWP:
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Eight of these countries joined the VWP in 2008, and their citizens and nationals have been required to comply with an ESTA since their designation as VWP participants: the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, the Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Malta.
WPCNR GUEST EDITORIAL . January 12, 2009: In the current WPCNR survey in which WPCNR put up as an option for public opinion, should the city look into overcrowding at the White Plains Hospital Medical Center Emergency Room and explore the hospital cooperating with Greenwich Hospital (Connecticut) so Greenwich could ease the crush at the White Plains Hospital Emergency Room. WPCNR asked the public this question because the White Plains hospital appears to stressed because previous emergency room expansion was not handling the current demand due to the closing of St. Agnes Hospital and United Hospital in Port Chester. A total of 13% of votes cast to date (49 votes) felt this was an issue that needed to be examined.
Jon Schandler, White Plains Hospital Medical Center Chief Executive Officer takes the time here to assure the public that when the new emergency room opens six months from now, it will indeed be able to handle the current crush and future demands:
Jon Schandler, President, CEO White Plains Hospital Medical Center at recent opening of the Longview Municipal Parking Garage which serves the hospital.
To the Editor:
Your article (Editor’s note: survey question) “Examine Overcrowding of White Plains Hospital Emergency Room” contains several inaccuracies.
It is true that White Plains Hospital Center embarked on construction of a new emergency room to meet an increase in patients from White Plains and surrounding communities. However, the new Emergency Department, which will be completed in mid-2009, was designed to serve a significantly larger number of patients – 60,000 per year. In comparison, the current facility was designed for 30,000 and currently serves more than 45,000 annually due to the closing of two nearby hospitals and the growth of the population in the White Plains area.
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Among the features of the new two-story Emergency Department will be an increase from 17 to 38 beds, nearly all in private rooms, in-room registration at bedside, and specialty treatment rooms for specific types of emergencies. The second floor will house a new Fast Track Unit, which will be dedicated to providing rapid care for patients with less serious medical needs. We strongly believe these upgrades will reduce crowding, and our plans have received much support from the community.
Working with Greenwich Hospital to “split the emergency room load” or “establish a Westchester satellite closer to White Plains” would not provide the most efficient and expedient emergency care for White Plains residents. EMS providers are required to take urgent cases, such as heart attack and stroke, to the nearest hospital Emergency Department.
It is the mission of Westchester’s hospitals to provide the very best care right here in the county. Therefore, White Plains Hospital Center is proudly expanding its Emergency Department to serve our area’s growing population close to home.
WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. January 10, 2009: The White Plains Board of Education meets Monday evening at Education Housethree days before the first-ever “Community Forum Budget Process” to start at the high school this Thursday, January 15 at 7:30 P.M.
The two-meeting process replaces the Annual Budget Committee procedure (of three to four meetings) used in years past. The reason given for the switch is to open the process of formulating the budget to the entire community to get behind a school budget the community supports in view ofthe state of financial crisis that the district faces.
However, the budget parameters reported to be presented to the citizens Thursday evening will not know the what they will be paying their teachers in 2009-2010. Building a budget without knowing what you are going to pay your teachers and administrators making up 80% of your budget is rather difficult even for a journalist. The district has taken a no-negotiate stance with the teachers, forcing the teachers and the district to go to mediation for what is believed to be the first time in the history of the district.
A Leisurely Mediation
Presently the district is at impasse with its 800-plus teachers and assistants on a new contract, one of five districts in the county operating without contracts with their teachers. The previous White Plains contract continues in effect, (containing an automatic 2% increase for each new year of service) while a state-appointed mediator, Karen Kenney. orchestrates the mediation process. A mediator-engineered settlement is expected that may result in a possible 2.7% minimum increase if inflation trends are followed, in which case the mediator can be blamed by the district for the increase even though they “tried to hold the line.”The present hostile attitude between teachers and district management suggests the district will face these negotiations every year given the deteriorating tax situation in the city. It is not going to get better.
Only one mediation meeting has been held to date which was a get-acquainted meeting where the mediator interviewed both sides of the dispute to ascertain their positions. A second meeting is scheduled in February, date as yet undisclosed, though the district has been asked. To date the district has not made an offer to the teachers since last June, prompting both sides to declare an impasse.The White Plains Teachers Association is demanding a salary increase to keep pace with the escalation in health benefits costs that took away a large percentage of the union’s previous wage agreement of 3%.
Settlement Mystery Compromises Process?
The lack of settlement of theteacher contract raises the question how the public, largely well-meaning, but with little grasp of the school budget complexities, subtleties and for lack of clarity, “mumbo-jumbo,” which they have for many years trusted the district judgment, can help decide the budget when it does not know what the teacher contract is which is about 75% of their budget.
Even the Annual Budget Committee (a group of about 30 persons, many who remained on the committee from year to year) reasonably knowledgeable was often mystified when confronted with District rationalization for expenses. The ABC Committee last year was unaware, for example of the double-inflation pace of administrative raises, first reported and so far only reported by this website, that many feel gave a message to teachers that they were underappreciated.
Teachers got 3% when administrator and curriculum coordinators received from 2.3% to as much as 13% in salary increases. The 42 full-time Coordinators/Directors/Principals/ and Assistants raises averaged 7.5%. The average raise for this group of was $10,584. Despite school district rationalizations about contract and promotion automatic raises being responsible for that round of administrative raises, that is what the salaries went up according to the math.
Superintendent Will Speak on the Community Forum Process
The Superintendent of Schools, Timothy Connors is scheduled to speak on the budget process which begins this week by the district inviting all of the White Plains community to review where the district stands now on their expected budget for 2009-2010.
Mr. Connors may give some details on the sketchy process which at this point is described as similar to the forums which formulated the district Strategic Plan a year ago. That plan, though adopted has not been reported on as of yet this year by the Board of Education. It remains to be seen whether the opinions of the Strategic Plan Action Committees working on this year’s objectives will be offered at the two Budget Forums coming up on Thursday, January 15 and on February 25, when a budget based on this Thursday’s forum’s suggestions will be presented for comment, WPCNR believes. Perhaps Mr. Connors will make this process clearer Monday night.
Hard Numbers
The television program, White Plains Week, and The CitizeNetReporter has estimated that if the school district continues its spending pace of the last 11 years, (an average of 7% a year) that the preliminary budget possibility is $197 Million dollars, up from the 184.4 Million budget this year, unless ofcourse the district cuts a significant series of expenditures out of the budget to begin the process.
In light of a $1.1 Million drop in the city assessable announced by the City Assessor, Lloyd Tasch this week the pressure of reduced assessments compounds the problem. If the present assessment numbers hold and do not decline it results in a $1.7 Million gap in school district property collections.
Barring increased revenues from other sources, this gap computes to a raise in this year’s tax rate of $503 to $510 per $1,000 of assessed valuation to catch up with this year’s budget – before the automatic 7% increase to keep pace with this year’s spending.
No Spending Cuts this year?
In December, the outgoing Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors would not commit, when asked by WPCNR, to say the district would cut the rate of spending of this year’s budget (to allow more surplus to fund the 2009-2010 budget). The district has about $14 Million in fund balance of which approximately $3 Million is committed. Peter Bassano, a Board of Education member told WPCNR last week that “nothing in the budget is off the table (for cuts).” Bassano said that fund balance might be used to limit the year to year budget increase.
Asked if the district may postpone going out for the final $15 Million in bonds to conduct “needed” repairs in district schools and buildings other than the Post Road School and Mamaroneck Avenue School construction projects, Bassano said that was a possibility. This would have the effect of limiting the increase in debt service expected in 2009-2010. Debt Service, according to the school budget is scheduled to rise approximately $2 Million from $10,639,998 in 2008-2009 (this year) to $12,745,368 in 2009-2010 according to this year’s budget.
This year’s spending continues unchecked at this time.
Monday Agenda: Spending Approvals
At the Monday meeting, the Board is scheduled to pass the 2008-2009 Interscholastic and Co-Curricular Appointments and stipends for coaches and conductors of district sports and other extra-curricular activities; the 2008-2009 Extended Day Program for this year; andthe 2008-2009 Program for Professional Development (of faculty and administrators. )
The Board will also be asked to approve contracts for maintenance of power and lawn equipment and furniture.
A new interim Assistant Principal, Francis Lahey, is scheduled to be hired for Eastview Middle School.
The Board of Education is also conducting the confidential process of hiring a new Superintendent of Schools, who Mr. Bassano predicts will be hired in March. No money has been discussed yet, according to Mr. Bassano as of last week.
The agenda:
WHITE PLAINS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
White Plains, New York
REGULAR BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
Monday, January 12, 2009
Education House
7:30 P.M.
AGENDA
I.Opening of Meeting:
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of silence in memory of retired staff members Mary Jane Johnson, Isabel Levy, Thelma
Rockwell and Michele Stevens
Recognition of Mamaroneck Avenue School Chess Team
NYSSBA Developmental Achievement Citation
Oral Announcements by the Board President and Board Members
II.Communications:
III.Public Participation:(The Board will entertain comments from the public on any issue, with a time limit of three minutes per person, and a maximum total of 25 minutes.)
IV.Superintendent’s Report:
2009-10 Budget Process – January 15th Community Forum
Dual Language Program
Emerging Scholars Program
V.Summary Action Items:
Recommended approval of minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 8, and the Special Meetings of December 3, 14, and 17, 2008.
Recommended acceptance of the following donations:
$750 from William and Georgia Pollak for the High School’s musical instruments
$250 from William and Georgia Pollak for “Project Early Read”
A clarinet from Joan Roberts, Ridgeway School teacher
Photography paper from Margarita Mateo-Saha, for the High School Art Program
A 35 mm camera from Mr. & Mrs. Fred Palma, for George Washington School
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Recommended approval to add Grandmaster B. M. Kim’s Tae Kwon Do to the list of organizations permitted use of facilities.
Recommended authorization for the Clerk of the Board to make all necessary arrangements and to incur such expenses and perform any duties necessary and proper for the conduct of the Annual Board of Education Budget Vote and Election to be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2009.
5.Recommended approval of the Board of Registration for the Annual Board of Education
Budget Vote and Election on May 19, 2009, as follows:Elizabeth Scardino (R) and
Melissa Scardino (D).
6.Recommended approval of a consultant agreement with Student Assistance Services Corp. to
provide two counselors at the Middle School, as per attachment.
7.Recommended approval to arrange for the appropriate program and services for students with
disabilities, as recommended by the Committee on Special Education:45 cases, as per
attachment.
8.Recommended approval to arrange for the appropriate program and services for students with
disabilities, as recommended by the Committee on Preschool Special Education:15 cases, as
per attachment.
9.Recommended approval that all employees previously granted a conditional appointment and
who have not received conditional clearance from the State Education Department be granted another conditional appointment for 20 days.
Civil Service Staffing:
10.Recommended approval of an increase in salary for Kathleen Contrata, Administrative
Assistant, Special Education, Education House, effective 1/13/09.
11.Recommended approval of the temporary appointment of the following:
Valerie Riddick,* Bookroom Clerk, High School, effective 1/13/09-6/30/09 (replacing
C. Finiani)
Richard Logan,* Attendance Liaison, High School, effective 1/13/09-6/30/09 (new
position)
Joseph Paulo, Custodian, Middle School-Highlands, effective 1/13/09 (replacing S.
Martinez).
12.Recommended approval of the 26-week probationary appointment of the following Food
Service Helpers, effective 1/13/09:
Edith Newkirk,* High School, 4 hours per day (replacing M. Principe)
Brenda Hardy,* High School, 3 hours per day (replacing M. Ramirez)
Isela Chacon,* Post Road School, 3.75 hours per day (replacing K. Negi)
13.Recommended approval of the substitute appointments as per Board approved “Substitute, Summer School and Supplemental Rates,” as per attachment.
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Teacher Staffing
14.Recommended acceptance of the resignation of Aguedo Camacho, Jr., Teaching Assistant,
Post Road School, effective 1/24/09.
15.Recommended approval of a request for unpaid leave of absence for Monica DiMatteo,
Teaching Assistant, Church Street School, effective 12/24/08-2/23/09.
16.Recommended approval of the appointment* of districtwide per diem substitute teachers and
substitute teaching assistants, and Adult & Continuing Education Teachers, as per attachment.
17.Recommended approval of a request for a part-time (.3) leave of absence for Pamela Daly,
Physical Education Teacher, George Washington and Post Road Schools, effective 1/5/09-
6/30/09.
18.Recommended approval of an extension of the probationary period for Andrea Steptoe,
Mathematics Teacher, High School, effective 8/31/07-10/19/10.
19.Recommended approval of compensation for the following, as per attachments:
a.2008-09 Interscholastic and Co-curricular appointments
b.2008-09 Extended Day Program
c.2008-09 Professional Development Activities
20.Recommended approval of the Part-time appointments of:
Rita Sanchez(New C4E position)
BA – Binghamton University(English)
MS Ed – Lehman College/ CUNY (TESOL)
Certification: Initial, ESOL
Assignment: ESOL Teacher, High School, 90% of full time
Dates of Service: 2/2/09-6/30/09
Eyleen Ortiz(Replacing M. Yoegel)
BA – Florida International University(Psychology)
MA – Teachers College, Columbia University(Behavioral Disorders/ABA)
M Ed – Teachers College, Columbia University(Instructional Services)
Certification: Permanent, Special Education & Provisional, SAS
Assignment: CPSE Chairperson, Districtwide, 70% of full time
Dates of Service: 1/14/09-6/30/09
21.Recommended approval of the Regular Substitute appointments of:
Suzanne Adams(Replacing T. Alfalla)
BA – Columbia University(English Literature)
MA – Teachers College/Columbia University(English)
WPCNR THE READING NEWS. By John F. Bailey. January 9, 2009: Paul Wood, White Plains City Executive Officer, today accused White Plains Public Library Executive Director, Sandy Miranda of misrepresentation to her Board of Directors and Library Board President, Julie Trelstad, in describing to the Board the labor situation with full-time workers, after it had been explained to Miranda by the Mayor and City Corporation Counsel, Edward Dunphy, that extending union full-time worker hours was allowed by the library contract.
WPCNR has also learned that while library supporters are resisting cutting $400,000 in expenditures, and is engaged in midst of protests over closing the library on Sundays and other cutbacks, the library is still on schedule for renovating the men’s and women’s restrooms on the first floor for an expenditure of $225,000, more than half the library savings requested by the Mayor.
Miranda had felt the labor contract prevented her from extend hours for full-time employees, resulting from closing the libary on Fridays. In the recent chain of events in which the library, at Ms. Miranda’s suggestion opted to close the library on Sundays to achieve $60,000 of the $400,000 in savings requested from the library budget, the President of the Library Board of Directors was reported to have said, “Given what we’ve heard about what we can and can’t do with labor, I think Sunday would be our only choice.”
News reports gave the impression Mayor Joseph Delfino told the library to close Sundays because there would have to be new hours negotiated with the unions. Wood says that is not the case and that Miranda mislead the Library Board. This week, as reported by WPCNR, the Board of Directors is going to visit the whole issue of what to do at a public meeting January 14 at 7:30 PM.
$225,000 for Restrooms
WPCNR has also learned in followup on a legal notice published in the Friday Journal News, that the library, with Ms. Miranda’s approval, is to receive $225,000 from the city Capital Projects budget to refurbish the mens and womens restrooms on the library first floor, according to Department of Public Works Commissioner Joseph Nicoletti.
Mr. Wood was asked why this project could not be suspended and used to contribute to the library share of cost cutting. He said that was up to the Common Council to rescind that expenditure and recommit the funds to the library. Asked why the Mayor simply could not do this, Wood said that was up to the capital projects board which the Mayor had no control over. Wood said Miranda had approved of this expenditure.
No $4 Million Deficit as Alleged.
Wood released to WPCNR his answer to a letter circulated by e-mail from a person in support of the library which said the city was facing a $4 Million deficit in the current fiscal year. Wood confirmed that the Mayor has never quantified any alleged shortfall in current revenues in any public statements. He said the cost-cutting measures were precautionary, and not to make up any known shortfall as alleged in the private letter.
The letter circulated by the White Plains resident gives a version of the library events to a wide audience.
Wood’s letter furnished to WPCNR outlines how the Sunday closing came about and how Ms. Miranda was told by the Mayor that there was no need to negotiate new hours with full-time employees to close the Library on Fridays as the White Plains Library Board of Directors had originally voted to do last month. Here is Mr. Wood’s written statement to the letter writer:
Hi Lauren,(Candela-Katz)
I received a copy of your email which contains several inaccuracies and only serves to further confuse and mislead people about what is taking place. It’s extremely disappointing that this issue continues to be completely distorted.
Number one, the Library Board did NOT make the decision to close on Sundays, its executive director, Sandra Miranda made the decision.
Two, it’s completely UNTRUE that any renegotiation with the unions would have to occur. Sandy was informed of this by myself and corporation counsel Ed Dunphy AFTER the Board voted to close on FRIDAYS and Sandy wanted to switch to Sundays.
Three, what else in the City is being reduced, you ask. EVERY DEPARTMENT is looking to cut their budgets by 7 to 10%. This is an ongoing process and the pain is well shared. The information has been printed in the Journal News and the New York Times. What else do you want the administration to do??
Four, the City did NOT spend $65,000 for the ball drop on New Year’s Eve. It spent $12,000. The rest of the money came from MERCHANT DONATIONS.
Five, we looked at reducing take home cars, savings were negligible, and would have, in most cases required a RENEGOTIATION with unions who currently don’t have contracts with the City so it is doubtful this would have been successful.
These are unprecedented economic times. What you and your email string of readers (which I’m sure will never receive this corrected information) should be doing is lobbying the Democratic council and assembly members to get the extra quarter percent sales tax that the Mayor has been advocating for two years now.
It would have provided an additional $5.6 million dollars this year alone and may have made these unpleasant cuts less necessary, or at the very least, less painful.
Regards, Paul Wood Executive Officer City of White Plains
WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the Governor’s Press Office. January 8, 2009: Herewith, Governor David Patterson’s State of the State Message delivered yesterday in Albany:
My Fellow New Yorkers,
For several months now, I have regularly shared with you the steps that my administration has taken to responsibly address New York’s fiscal crisis. Today, I delivered my State of the State address, giving a frank assessment of New York’s challenges, and proposing a wide-ranging series of initiatives to put our state back on the right track.
This is no time for fear. This is a time for courage. This is a time for hope. Most of all, this is a time for action.
This is a time for those of us who serve to live up to the example that New York families have set for us– to recognize that we must make painful choices about what we can and cannot afford; we must sacrifice what we want today so that we can pay for what we need tomorrow.
I am constantly inspired when I witness New Yorker’s commitment to their state, their families, and to their shared sense of responsibility and sacrifice; that commitment underlies many of the initiatives that I laid out in my speech today.
New York’s commitment to leadership demands that we meet our constitutional obligation and balance our state budget, even if that means making difficult choices. We must also stand up and encourage additional action from our leaders in Washington DC. President-Elect Obama and the Congress must act quickly to stimulate the national economy.
Today, I restated my call that Congress pass a comprehensive stimulus package for the States and to pass it by the end of January. I further call upon our federal partners to quickly reform our financial regulation system. But let me be clear – if the federal government does not act, I shall. We need sensible regulation to oversee our financial industry so that the savings and retirement funds of New Yorkers will not be at risk.
New York’s commitment to the environment demands that we be at the forefront of one of the most ambitious clean energy goals in America. By 2015, New York will meet 45 percent of its electricity needs through improved energy efficiency and clean renewable energy. Our new “45 by 15” program will help rebuild our economy by creating an estimated 50,000 new jobs, meet our energy needs, while protecting our environment. Improving energy efficiency at schools, hospitals, and local governments will allow us to cut costs and hopefully cut taxes in the future.
New York’s commitment to innovation demands that we once again invest in roads and bridges, in higher education institutions, in statewide broadband installation and the computerization of medical records, and in clean water and wastewater systems. We should complete signature projects all across our State including the Peace Bridge, the Tappan Zee Bridge, the Second Avenue Subway, and the East Side Access. And we should implement the Ravitch Commission recommendations to improve an essential piece of our infrastructure, the MTA.
New York’s commitment to our families demands that we make it easier for families to take care of one another. That is why I proposed a bill allowing families to cover family members up to the age of 29 in their family coverage plans at their own cost. It is unacceptable that one in three New Yorkers from the ages of 19 to 29 are still uninsured. We must also aggressively address the greatest threat to our children’s health today, the obesity epidemic. First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson and I unveiled a comprehensive strategy to address this challenge, including banning trans fats in restaurants, requiring calorie posting in chain restaurants, banning junk food sales in schools, and placing a surcharge on sugared beverages like soda.
New York’s commitment to our communities demands that, even in these difficult times, we must make sure we respect one another, serve one another and protect one another. Nearly 3 million adults volunteered 397 million hours of community service last year, contributing an estimated $7 billion to our economy through their service. In these difficult times community service is more important than ever. We must fund an increase in the number and capacity of Regional Volunteer Centers throughout the state. I also encourage all New Yorkers to visit www.newyorkersvolunteer.org to learn what they can do to serve their neighbors in need.
Today, New York State is faced with difficult decisions. We are suffering statewide and national recessions that may continue for months or even years. We face a series of savage fiscal choices and are confronted with the worst budget deficit in the history of our state.
But we should not confuse this crisis with our long term reality, because our future is bright. Our workforce remains strong, and our vibrant university system will continue to produce high quality graduates for decades to come. We remain a center of innovation – from the stem cell research at Cornell University to the clean-tech cluster upstate to the information and nanotechnology clusters around the state. Though shaken, New York City remains a global financial capital that will eventually bounce back.
The essence of New York is that we refuse to fear the future. We understand that shared sacrifice today is the price for growth tomorrow, and that by balancing our budget and making key investments, we can prepare our state for the time when this crisis is over.
I have delivered my executive budget, and laid out my agenda for the year ahead. Now it is the time for me to listen to my colleagues and the people of New York. I encourage you to watch my State of the State Address to learn more, and to share your thoughts with me.
It is time to come together and to take back the future of New York. I ask you to join me.
