The People's Budget 1999-2000
A Blueprint for Equity

The People's Budget was developed by the Fair Budget Campaign, a group of statewide non-profit organizations that share an interest in ensuring budget equity for all New Yorkers. The Fair Budget Campaign seeks a budget process that is open to the public, and a budget that takes into account the needs of all New Yorkers not just those at the top of the socio-economic ladder. Members of the Fair Budget Campaign include Citizen Action of NYS, Environmental Advocates, Fiscal Policy Institute, Hunger Action Network of NYS, The Interfaith Alliance of NYS (TIANYS), New Yorkers For Fiscal Fairness, the Statewide Emergency Network for Social and Economic Security (SENSES), Statewide Senior Action Council of NYS, and the Student Association of the State Universities.

The focus of the People's Budget is just that, "the people." The members of the Fair Budget Campaign believe that strategic investments in the people of New York State are essential to a healthy, vibrant state economy. New York's future starts with investments today in its human infrastructure: education, health care, the environment, nutrition, and child care. These investments can and should be paid for by limiting tax cuts to the wealthy and holding accountable the large, profitable corporations that are on the New York State tax cut and business subsidy gravy train.

For the policy priorities set forth in the Peoples Budget to become a reality, budget process reform is essential. Building on the changes of earlier this year, New York State must develop and institutionalize a more democratic and informed budget process that provides for greater accountability and openness. "Three men in a room" budgeting does not serve the interests of the people.
 
The People's Budget is being published at this early point in the annual budget cycle to make the ideas and analysis of the Fair Budget Campaign and the other participating organizations available to the Governor and his staff as they prepare the 1999-2000 Executive Budget. SENSES will issue its annual Counterbudget following the Governor's release of his proposed budget . As in past years, Counterbudget will analyze the Governor's budget submission and make recommendations for needed changes.

The People's Budget is a compilation of 16 one-page statements of budget and policy priorities prepared by 16 statewide organizations and coalitions that play a leadership role on such issues as tax reform, higher education, health care, child care, welfare, the environment and senior citizen services. While the People's Budget is being published by the Fair Budget Campaign, the positions outlined in each statement primarily reflect the positions of the organization(s) that prepared that particular statement.
 
The following two documents are the two of the 16 one-page statements prepared by the Fiscal Policy Institute.  If you would like to obtain the entire document, please contact us at fpi@albany.net.

 Balancing Revenues and Expenditures
Economic Development and Corporate Responsibility

November 30, 1998