March 16 , 2001 Focus
on the From
the NYS Assembly
![]() Herman D. Farrell, Jr., Chair, Ways & Means Committee
The
Assembly has a record of accurately forecasting
state revenues available to raise educational standards, keep quality health care affordable, and meet the needs of New Yorkers The Governor underestimated New
Yorks revenues by more than $10.1 billion Projecting the amount of revenue New York State will have available in a coming year is a vital first step toward crafting a balanced state budget that invests in the needs of New Yorkers. We cant raise standards in our schools and keep college affordable, cut taxes for businesses and working families, and keep quality health care affordable if we dont know what resources we have to work with. Over the past six years, the Governor significantly underestimated state revenues by more than $10.1 billion. Meanwhile, year after year, hes proposed budgets that slashed state funding for education, health care and other essential services the state provides for its residents resulting in missed opportunities for New Yorkers. The Assembly fought the Governors
harmful and unnecessary Time and time again, the Assemblys revenue forecasts have proven to be more accurate than the Governors. Armed with this knowledge, the Assembly fought for, and won, historic state investments in our childrens education, restored critical health care funding and cut taxes for businesses and working families by nearly $13 billion since 1994. The Assemblys 2001-2002
economic forecast Although the current national economic expansion has slowed, modest growth is expected to continue in New York State and across the country, according to the extensive analysis and detailed forecast data prepared by the Assemblys Ways & Means Committee. Over the two-year forecasting period, the Assembly projects the Governor will underestimate receipts by approximately $2.152 billion. On March 2nd, the state had already reached the Governors projected revenue forecast for the entire fiscal year that was included in his proposed 2000-2001 budget. On March 6th, the state reached the level of revenues agreed to in the final 2000-2001 state budget. During the last six years, the Governor has consistently underforecasted receipts. His errors have ranged from $546 million to $2.4 billion in total, the Governors been off the mark by more than $10.1 billion since 1995. The Assemblys analysis includes recommendations made by an independent panel of professional economists drawn from major financial corporations, prestigious universities, and private forecasters across the state. For 17 years, these independent professionals have provided their expertise in evaluating the Assemblys economic and revenue reports. Again this year, the Assembly
will fight to ensure these revenues PLEASE NOTE:
For additional information, see the Assembly reports entitled New
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