The Governor’s proposed budget released today  funds RPCs at $ 3.539 million. The budget document calls this a $1.147 million dollar cut but that is based on the amount left after November’s Deficit Reduction cuts.  $3.539 is a cut of $2,231,700 from the level of last year’s enacted budget.  That looks more like a cut of nearly 40% by our calculations

The Governor proposes  to save us all some money through consolidation. “NYHOMES and the Division of Housing and Community Renewal will remain separate entities, but will be consolidated under a single management structure that is expected to achieve synergies in areas such as administration, asset management and grant making, producing annual savings of $3.5 million.”  What impact might that have on upstate housing programs?

The Governor’s Budget will be released next Tuesday and is expected to be within his proposed inflation spending cap, include drastic cuts and yet I believe I read that it may  exceed the budget of last year by about 2%. Stay tuned

Please note that we have rescheduled our legislative days so more people can attend!  Our meeting is now scheduled for Tuesday 2/23 and Wednesday 2/24 in Albany.  We will kick off our meeting at 10 at the Holiday Inn Express Downtown and shuttle up to the Housing Rally in Hearing Room A.   A block has been set aside for an over night so that you can attend the reception on Tuesday night at the Sign of the Tree and be available for additional appointments on Wednesday. Registration materials will be available soon.

Across the board cuts were made to the programs funded under “Aid to Localities” in the Deficit Reduction Bill in order to preserve school aid and health care appropriations. The Governor originally proposed a ten percent across the board cut along with mid year school aid and health care cuts.  The legislature countered with a DRP bill containing a  12.5% cut to undisbursed aid to localities funds

The question of WHEN you will receive payments… has yet to be answered.

877-210-5351 is the toll free number for the congressional switchboard.  Ask to be connected to the housing staffer for your representative’s and senators’ offices.

Tell them you want their support for at least $1 billion  National Housing Trust Fund. A $1 billion investment in the NHTF at $100,000 per unit of housing will create 15,100 construction jobs and 3,800 jobs in ongoing operations. Also, the NHTF will support local economies as low income families can afford to spend more money on goods and services when they are not spending half or more of their income on housing.

Reported today that The Governor wants to cut spending further by directing DOB not to cut checks for aid to localities programs. That could mean anything from school aid to RPC checks, but that will be decided at a later date. Meanwhile the legislature came up with a DRP plan for cuts to this years budget using next years federal stimulus money.

The TU reported a leaders meeting this week and special legislative session called Nov 10. Patterson to also address session on Nov 9.  Are the proposed cuts ok with you? Send in your testimony and let your representatives know-

The NYS Assembly have scheduled hearings on the Governor’s Deficit Reduction Plan.  Oct09DRP_LocalAssistanceReductions Those are cuts to current year contracts. How will these cuts hamper your ability to provide affordable housing services? testimony nov 2009 should address Continue reading →

NEW YORK STATE RURAL ADVOCATES NOTICE of ANNUAL MEETING

Wednesday, Oct 28, 2009 Otesaga Hotel

registration – $35 made payable to the NYS Rural Advocates or pay at the door

Legislative Roundtable Begins promptly at 10 AM Continue reading →

Governor Patterson will release his proposal this afternoon to balance the budget.  Patterson is saying it’s going to hurt.   Meanwhile, now that we are at the 1/2 year mark for our States’ fiscal year,  a deficit of over four billion dollars is currently projected for the State by the Comptroller although the legislature thinks it’s really only half of that.   In addition, today there will be a verdict in the case against State Senator Monserrate, which may  impact the NYS Senate Democratic majority.  Remember that cuts proposed to programs passed by the legislature need their approval.  Let’s see what happens tomorrow!  (and I heard the Southern Tier and Western NY gets seven inches by the weekend, ready or not)