BRUNO CHALLENGES ASSEMBLY: CANCEL HOLIDAY FOR BUDGET DEAL

Demos Skip 4th Budget Conference Committee; Continue to Ignore Constitution

Wednesday, May 23, 2001

State Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno today urged Assembly Democrats to cancel their holiday plans and work through the Memorial Day weekend to get a deal on the overdue state budget.

Senator Bruno�s challenge came as Republicans in both the Senate and Assembly met for the fourth week in a row in an attempt to convene a Joint Budget Conference Committee to get stalled talks on the budget moving. As with the three previous meetings, Assembly and Senate Democrats skipped the event, even though their members were each individually invited to attend.

"Senate Republicans are willing to do whatever it takes to enact a budget for this state, including hosting Joint Budget Conference Committees each week, and even staying in the Capitol 24 hours a day through the holiday weekend to get the job done," said Senator Bruno, endorsing an idea first raised by Senior Assistant Majority Leader Guy J. Velella (R, The Bronx/Westchester).

"I urge the Assembly to join with us in fulfilling the Legislature�s obligation under the state Constitution to enact a budget now, with no more excuses and no further delay," Senator Bruno said.

Assembly Republican Leader John J. Faso of Columbia County, who has attended all four sessions, said the Assembly Minority conference also is prepared to work through the weekend, and he cited news reports of the slowing economy�s impact on other state�s finances as evidence of the need for spending restraint.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Ronald B. Stafford (R-C, Plattsburgh) released a letter that he sent to Democrat Assemblywoman Sandra Galef of Westchester County enlisting her support in getting Assembly Democrats to start budget negotiations with the Senate. Galef is the sponsor of a bill mandating Budget Conference Committees and she was quoted by the media last week urging committees to convene.

"The lack of a timely state budget 17 years in a row is more than ample proof of the failure of the old ways of crafting a state budget. You are correct to cite to the media the need for conference committees. I look forward to your attendance and participation," Senator Stafford�s letter said. A copy of the letter, which was also sent to more than 100 cosponsors of the Assemblywoman�s bill, is attached.

Senate and Assembly Republicans have now attempted four times to draw Democrats� participation in the Joint Budget Conference Committee.

Meanwhile, the state budget, due April 1, is now nearly eight weeks late.

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