State of the State
Every year, the Governor gives a State of the State message similar to the President's State of the Union. They are usually pretty boring but since state news is not much in evidence (the people aren't interested and the current administration is not reporter friendly) people tend to make a lot out of it. I'll be doing a Vox Pop today (approximately 2 o'clock... right after the speech.) Tune in at . The big question (there always has to be a "big question") is how the governor will react to the State's highest courts demand for fiscal equity in the education of New York children. I predict lip service and not much more. If the market keeps going up and there are enough revenues to help out with the estimated 6 billion dollar budget shortfall, things will get a lot easier. However, don't count on Senate Republicans to go quietly if their school districts are to be cut in favor of the Democratic Assembly heavily represented city districts. That's where something called "save harmless" comes into play. That means no one gets cut, everyone gets more. That's interesting in a year when all three big leaders have said "no new taxes." To the latter I say, "You wanna bet -- state fees count." See you soon. Be here tomorrow.
- posted by Alan @ 1/07/2004 11:44:00 AM