Schenectady County Government Must “Cut Here, Cut Now” by Brad Littlefield

This is a letter that was posted to here. This is a letter from Brad Littlefield regarding the latest proposed budget increase in Schenectady County of almost 13%.

Posting a Letter to the Editor that I submitted to the Daily Gazette and SchenectadyToday.com today. I'm sure that there are those who will disagree with my expressed opinions. Regardless, it is posted below for your consideration. I would encourage all to contact their government representatives and the media to express your opinions.

Schenectady County Government Must “Cut Here, Cut Now”

I am writing in response to the article “Schenectady County Budget proposal cuts jobs, services. Average homeowner would pay $125 more” that appeared in the October 13th edition of the Daily Gazette and a subsequent story that reported on legislation that was proposed by County Legislator Gary Hughes.

At the October Legislative meeting, Mr. Hughes proposed Resolution 164-08, that urges the Governor and the State Legislature to enact legislation that requires the state to assume the full cost for the non-federal share of the Medicaid Program and Resolution 165-08 that urges the Governor and the State Legislature to increase the income taxes paid by those earning over $1,000,000 rather than pass the cost of state programs to “seniors and working families” through property taxes. At a time when the New York State government is faced with a reported 2009 budget deficit of $6.4B and Governor Paterson is calling for $500M in Medicaid cuts and decreases in local aid, Mr. Hughes and his fellow Legislators should be focused on identifying tangible and achievable cost savings at the county level that will close the 2009 budget deficit of $10M, not engaged in political grandstanding by proposing legislation that has no likelihood of being considered.

Hughes’ proposed Resolution 165-08 espouses the redistribution of wealth and plays on the class envy that some have for those who have achieved goals in life and accumulated more wealth than they. The proposal is consistent with the philosophy of Communist Karl Marx who populated the slogan “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need”. While it may elicit support from those who blame our nation’s woes on the rich, rather than on the corruption and ineptitude of government, it does nothing to address the fiscal challenges faced by county residents.

Schenectady County has the 12th highest county taxes in the nation. Responsible elected officials must enact an austerity budget that reduces the size, the cost and the power of county government. Our elected representatives must consider the elimination or consolidation of non-essential county services (e.g., Camp Kosiur), forging collaborative procurement agreements between the county and surrounding local municipalities and their vendors to purchase good and services at lower cost, privatization of county facilities and services, and suspending capital improvement projects.

At a time when the county residents are struggling to keep their homes, pay for heating fuel and energy, and buy food for themselves and their families, the adoption of a county annual budget that results in a tax increase is irresponsible and exhibits a callous disregard for the constituents who our elected “leaders” were elected to serve.

Brad Littlefield
Delanson, NY