Update from Sen. Rich Funke's FB page

[Jmac00]

and, for the most part it's not good. Cuomo is trying to solidify his supreme power within New Yorkistan
emphasis added by me:

Some updates on session and the budget process. Last night the Senate was in session and adopted rules to allow members to vote remotely. The only members in the chamber were the leaders and deputy leaders of each party and the presiding officer. I'll be watching session via zoom, participating in conference via phone and video and voting remotely. Albany budgets are secretive under the best circumstances but this one has been the most secretive I've seen due to these unprecedented times. There won't be much debate, and we have not had the level of meetings, rallies and input we typically receive. Its unfortunate, it's not democracy in the way that we want it to be but it is also largely unavoidable. The budget itself looks to be bad. The deficit has ballooned to perhaps 10-15 billion. Cuts to nearly everything- including the first cut I've ever seen to education aid looks very likely. The health budget will also be difficult although federal aid has softened the blow somewhat on that front. The scuttlebutt says " no broad based tax increase" but that really translates to perhaps dozens of small tax and fee increases. What's perhaps worse is that the Governor has continued to insist on and is likely to get nearly all of his non-fiscal policy proposals jammed into this budget. One MAY be rolling back bail reform somewhat but that is unclear at the moment. Gov. Cuomo is also asking for and likely to get the UNILATERAL power to make more budget cuts as he sees fit between now and April 1 next year. In part at least the fiscal mess is not the Governor's fault. Strong arming the legislature to adopt his policies and grant him even more power is 100% his fault. I am getting a more detailed briefing later today but I can also tell you with absolute certainty that I won't vote for a budget that includes poorly vetted policy proposals or grants the Governor any more power. He is handling COVID-19 very well. He is handling the budget like he always does- bullying the legislature into adopting his progressive policy Christmas list. That's wrong- particularly now and I won't support it.

https://buffalonews.com/…/with-big-spending-cuts-eyed-lawm…/

Time to accelerate moving out of New Yorkistan ~~~ 23 months and counting

 

[Mr. terzmo]

School budget cuts...first on the list as when a local budget doesn't pass...busing is eliminated. The $1200 each are getting better be saved for a tax bill coming to our neighborhoods soon.

 

[wizrd]

Is the vanity license plate - 'scapefrmNY' taken?