By Howard Koplowitz
Gov. Andrew Cuomo suggested education administrators and teachers accept a wage freeze this year as a way to put a $1.5 billion dent in the projected $10 billion budget deficit.
Cuomo said there would be no need for layoffs under his budget proposal, which he unveiled Tuesday in Albany when he called for the wage freeze.
“If it’s about the students, then let’s find savings within the bureaucracy,” the governor said.
Cuomo’s education plan would cut school-year aid spending by $2.8 billion to $19.3 billion, compared to the $20.9 billion that was spent on education last year.
His address kicked off the state budget process, with various agencies set to give testimony to the state Legislature as it shapes the state’s spending plan.
The governor also suggested Medicaid spending be reduced by $2.8 billion, with state aid for the program increased by $4 billion and government dollars for Medicaid decreasing by $5 billion.
Cuomo attacked permanent laws that call for built-in rates and formulas for state programs that has led to unsustainable spending.
“In this economy, this is a death spiral,” he said. “We spend too much, we get too little and we get economically uncompetitive.”
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
