BALCONY Supports Governor Spitzer’s Health Care, SUNY Buffalo Move and Investment in Upstate Economy

BALCONY SUPPORTS GOVERNOR SPITZER’S AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE INITIATIVE, SUNY BUFFALO MOVE AND INVESTMENT IN UPSTATE ECONOMY

For Immediate Release

BALCONY, the Business and Labor Coalition of New York, co-chaired by Alan Lubin and Bruce Ventimiglia, today applauds Governor Eliot Spitzer for focusing upon the fight for universal and affordable health care in his State of the State address.

Read the press release: Initiative

Spitzer Plans Cuts and Fees to Close Deficit of $4.4 Billion

By DANNY HAKIM

Gov. Eliot Spitzer of New York proposed an array of taxes and fees and almost $1 billion in health care cuts, and scaled back plans for new education aid and property tax relief.

Read the entire article: Deficit

Spitzer’s Executive Budget Closes the Deficit

GOVERNOR SPITZER’S EXECUTIVE BUDGET CLOSES THE DEFICIT, PROTECTS NEW YORK’S PRIORITIES AND INVESTS IN ECONOMIC GROWTH

Tough Choices Allow Key Investments in Our State’s Future; Builds on Key Reforms Enacted in Last Year’s Budget

Governor Eliot Spitzer today delivered his 2008-09 Executive Budget, which closes a projected $4.4 billion budget gap without raising taxes, while making key investments in education, health care, and economic development. The balanced budget fulfills the Governor’s budget goals of responsibly closing the budget gap, protecting core priorities and investing for economic growth.

Read the entire press release: Exec Budget

Read the NYSUT press release/response: NYSUT

Read the PEF press release/response: PEF

Read the ACS release/response: ACS

Read the CSEA release/response: CSEA

Bloomberg Creates a Task Force to Advocate for U.S. Infrastructure Needs

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg attacked Washington politicians on Saturday for what he called short-sighted, politically motivated spending while the nation’s roads, bridges and airports fall apart.

“Infrastructure isn’t sexy or glamorous, and it doesn’t make for great headlines,” Mr. Bloomberg said in Los Angeles, “but it is one of the most important issues facing our country.

Click here for the complete article: Task Force

Governor Schwarnenegger Joins Gov. Rendell and Mayor Bloomberg to Reinvigorate Federal Investment in Nation’s Infrastructure.

Read the Press Release from California: Schwarzenegger

Bruno vows upstate will get its fair share from Albany

By Tom Precious – NEWS ALBANY BUREAU

State Senate’s power broker says he will work to see Capital District’s success extended here.

Read the article: Bruno

Spitzer Offers Broad Plan to Help Upstate Economy

By TRYMAINE LEE

The governor’s $1 billion plan includes $350 million to promote business development by preparing development-ready sites and industrial parks, and related programs.

Read the entire article: Upstate Economy
Read the speech: Upstate Economy Speech

Times-Union: Spitzer to expand child health insurance

Spitzer: Expand child health insurance
CATHLEEN F. CROWLEY Staff writer

ALBANY – Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s budget proposal will include $37 million to extend health insurance coverage to all New York children, despite the Bush administration’s refusal to expand the program.

Read the article: NY Children

Hudson Valley not part of Spitzer’s ‘upstate’

By Hugh Reynolds, Political Editor
GOV. ELIOT Spitzer, delivering his first of “State of Upstate” address on Wednesday, pledged $1 billion for revitalization efforts in upstate New York.

But that doesn’t include the Hudson Valley, and state Sen. John Bonacic wants to know why.

“If downstate (New York City and its suburbs) is revitalized, and upstate is in need of assistance, where is the Hudson Valley in this equation?” Bonacic, R-Mount Hope, said in a prepared statement.

Read the article: Upstate

Spitzer: Expand child health insurance

CATHLEEN F. CROWLEY Staff writer

ALBANY – Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s budget proposal will include $37 million to
extend health insurance coverage to all New York children, despite the
Bush administration’s refusal to expand the program.

Read the article: NY Children

Teachers’ Union Is Leery of Effort to Limit Taxes

By DANNY HAKIM

Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s plan to contain the rising property taxes that support New York’s schools could mean a confrontation with the state’s largest teachers’ union.

Read the complete article here: Limit Taxes

Read NYSUT response to the 2008 State of the State address: NYSUT Response