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Consumer Protection Board (CPB) 
                         Adjusted      Executive   Legislative                       
                          Approp.        Request       Approp.
                          2000-01        2001-02       2001-02   Change

STATE OPERATIONS
  General Fund            438,300        479,000       479,000        0 
  Special Rev.-Other    2,509,000      3,307,000     3,741,000  434,000 
  Total for 
  STATE OPERATIONS:     2,947,300      3,786,000     4,220,000  434,000
Agency Mission

The existing mission of the Consumer Protection Board (CPB) is to help resolve consumer business complaints and to represent consumer interests in utility rate-setting cases before the Public Service Commission (PSC). The Board also engages in consumer education activities.

The Executive proposes to restructure the Board with a revised mission. The new mission is to advise the Executive on consumer issues including those related to utilities; help draft legislation that protects consumers; handle consumer complaints and mediate consumer dispute; promote consumer education and fraud prevention; and maintain New York's "Do Not Call" telemarketing registry.

Year-to-Year Change

The Executive requests $3,786,000 for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2001-2002, an increase of $838,700 from State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2000-01 funding levels. The increase includes funding to implement the "Do Not Call" telemarketing registry and the reduction in staffing associated with the proposed agency restructuring initiative.

Legislative Proposals

The Assembly plan rejects the Executive's request to restructure the agency and its mission. The sharp increase in electricity and gas prices is hurting working families, small businesses and other important sectors of New York's struggling Upstate economy. The Assembly plan provides $434,000 in Special Revenue Funds to fully fund the agency and restore five full-time employee positions associated with the agency's Utility Intervention program. This funding will enable the CPB to continue its active involvement in a broad array of utility related activities including intervening on behalf of working families and small businesses in proceedings before the Public Service Commission and State and Federal courts, and educating consumers on the states restructured energy markets.

UTILITY INTERVENTION SERVICES - RESTORATION. $434,000     ST/SRO