NYS Budget

With a projected $12 billion deficit next year(not counting inflation), it it obvious that the state government needs to reduce spending. The biggest question is where to cut it. And no... higher taxes are not a good idea. Since New York has the highest local taxes in the country and 90% of it is controlled by the state. Obviously the deficit will not be eliminated but spending cuts across the board combined with more efficient spending should help a lot.

As much as none of us like it (especially people like me as a student), schools are one of the primary places for cuts. SUNY and CUNY tuition increaces of about $600 shouldnt seem like much compared to what the private schools are going through right now to make ends meet(between $1000 and $2000.) Education makes up the largest part of the state budget by almost $800 million so as much as we all hate it, the most cuts have to be here. Transportation is another area where cutting might help. Less funding for public transportation will force more people to take control of their own transportation(particularly in cities and the countryside), but people should be able to make a few small sacrifices and take a few less convienient options such as driving yourself, carpooling, or even just walking to get where they need to go. Public transportation could be left for those who really need it. Education combined with transportation makes up almost 20% of the state budget. So the cuts should start here.

People will always have to make sacrifices in the face of a large deficit. Everyone will voice their cause stating that you can't take their money, but if anything is to be done , someone will have to bite the bullet and take the cuts. I feel that education and transportation cuts are the way to reduce the deficit significantly with the least inconvienience to the residents of New York.