Budget Cuts Lack Rationale

ALBANY, NY (08/20/2008)(readMedia)-- United Way of New York State today expressed concern for the budget cutting actions taken this week to close the budget gap.

"While deficit reduction is commendable", stated Susan Hager, President, "we are disappointed that "across the board" cuts were utilized instead of criteria based on the performance of both spending programs and tax incentives."

"All funded programs and tax incentives report to the state on how well their spending targets meet agreed upon goals. That this vast array of relevant information was not used to prioritize the deficit reduction process is very disconcerting."

"The deficits did not come as a surprise. Surely there was time for a more thoughtful application of criteria and a rejection of "across the board" cuts as good public policy. It is unfortunate that the results of programs and tax incentives against the relative impact of the cuts were not considered during this process, despite the availability of the data to do."

"To continue to characterize the reductions as "limiting the growth in spending" is highly inaccurate. Real cuts were made to currently operating local assistance programs directly affecting New Yorkers in need of those services."