Staten Island Register - 01/29/2002 "Campaign Starts with a Lawsuit" By Christopher Franz With all of the jockeying for position... More... The Issues Contribute Help Save New York News Jack's Bio Contact Us New York is First in Debt Over 37 BILLION and growing daily... Gambling?! Its Here! With All of the Problems, None of the Benefits... The Great Exodus People are leaving New York State in droves... Join our mailing list to learn more about Albany's Outrages! Email Address: Better Late than Never Budgets? Democracy in Reverse Your Vote VS. Their Money Less Congressmen, More Legislators? Legislators for Life Legislative Rewards...and Punishments. Taxpayer Financed Campaigns New York State is Number One... in DEBT! By the year 2003, if present fiscal policies continue, the New York State debt will be over $40 billion. Today, that debt stands at over $37 billion. Add to that the $31 billion New York City owes and then toss in about $7.8 billion for the Metropolitan Transit Authority and New Yorkers are looking at $8,500 in debt for every man, woman and child living in New York City and $2,050 for every New Yorker outside the Metropolitan area. Not even free-wheeling California comes close. It is important to note that these figures were posted and calculated before the impact of September 11th World Trade Center attacks, which can only add to the problem. Take a look at this chart: Total Taxpayer Supported Debt Comparison Chart New York State $37.0 Billion New York City $31.0 Billion California $21.7 Billion Massachusetts $16.7 Billion New Jersey $14.7 Billion Florida $13.1 Billion Connecticut $10.0 Billion Illinois $9.1 Billion Metropolitan Transit Authority $7.8 Billion Ohio $7.5 Billion Over the past nine years, the New York State debt increased by 30%. You have got to know that with that kind of run-away debt, something is very, very wrong. And what's wrong is the Albany game of "if you do this for me in my district, I'll support that for your district and we'll all get re-elected". It's a very expensive game they're playing with your money. How do we stop the bleeding? First, the Legislature must assume the fiscal responsibility it is charged with. Rather than continue to roll over the debt, piling it up year after year, it would be wise to begin paying it off - bit by bit. Secondly, the Legislature must stop "back door financing" that effectively bypass New York State Constitution fiscal requirements by easily setting up "authorities". Many state authorities serve a useful and specific need. Unfortunately, many other authorities, under state auspices, simply finance what often turn out to be "pork barrel" projects. Debt by any other name is still debt. If just these two measures were immediately put into place, we would begin to see the New York State debt recede dramatically. Help Jack Cheevers Fix Albany and Save New York. Support and vote Jack Cheevers for Governor in 2002. Jack Cheevers for Governor   |   108 Washington Avenue   |   Endicott, NY 13790   |   607-785-8240   |   Security & Privacy   |   Contact Us        The Issues · Contribute · Volunteer · News · Jack's Bio Paid for by Friends of Jack Cheevers  ·  Design by jdgimzek.com