On Thursday, October 15, 2009 the Executive proposed a Deficit Reduction Plan (DRP) to reduce the estimated budget deficit for the State of New York by $3.0 billion for the 2009-10 State Fiscal Year (SFY). The plan seeks to address the current year budget deficit through actions including: reductions to programs and services supported by the State; reductions in State operations expenditures; the use of surplus fund balances, and other budgetary actions.

This hearing will examine the components of the Executive DRP proposal to eliminate the current year budget deficit facing the State and the impacts that it would have on programs and services supported by the State. In addition, this hearing will allow for the presentation of policy alternatives that were not incorporated in the Executive proposal.

Please see the next page for a list of subjects to which witnesses may direct their testimony.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to ten minutes duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee's interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

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1. How has the economic downturn facing the nation and State impacted the economy of New York?

2. What are the impacts resulting from the State Fiscal Year 2009-10 budget deficit?

3. How would the Governor's DRP proposal to reduce the current year deficit impact programs and services supported by the State?

4. How would the Governor's proposed DRP impact your organization?

5. Given the nature and extent of the current year budget deficit facing the State, are there any policy alternatives that were not incorporated in the Executive DRP proposal that should be considered?

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Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail or fax it to: