AMY PAULIN IN THE NEWS

Saturday, December 05, 2009
3 State Lawmakers Call for End to Pork Barrel Spending

Mid Hudson News Network

WHITE PLAINS — State Assembly members Amy Paulin, Sandy Galef and George Latimer have introduced legislation that would prohibit member items in the 2010-11 state budget.

All three are in the Assembly’s Democratic majority, and they say their proposal would save the state between $140 million and $200 million.

Member items, commonly referred to as “pork barrel” spending, are allocations of state money to individual legislators that benefit projects and agencies in their home districts.

The recent passage by New York lawmakers of a $2.8 billion deficit-reduction plan included a 12{ percent cut in member items in the state’s 2009-10 state budget.

At a White Plains news conference on Thursday, Paulin said that even if the member item prohibition is rejected, she will not request member-item money next year.

“While I recognize the positive aspects of this funding, we are in the midst of an unprecedented fiscal crisis and can no longer afford business as usual,” she said.

Latimer said the Legislature’s focus must be on funding essential programs even as state revenues fall.

“It is necessary for the Legislature to lead again as families around New York state have cut back on purchases that are not vital for the well-being of their families,” Galef said. “It is time for New York to take the same approach and lead by example.”

The Business Council of Westchester County commended the lawmakers for taking the “leadership by example” approach, said its president, Marsha Gordon. ###