December 2014 For the Times Herald-Record
In government, you seldom get to make a real wish list.
Yet New York state right now is contemplating what to do with a multi-billion-dollar surplus. So far, Governor Cuomo has made it clear that it should be spent on a one-time cost, so that the establishment of a new program, for instance, does not result in the need to look for money every year and with that the potential of new taxes. We agree.
It is hard to say exactly what the size of this new-found fortune is, but for argument sake let’s say it is $5 billion. So where do we start?
Number one on our agenda is infrastructure. We’d like to see $1 billion go to the cost of the new Tappan Zee Bridge. This could reduce the cost of contemplated borrowing and debt service. It could potentially reduce the troubling impact of possible higher tolls.
Our second priority is also infrastructure. When Pattern recently completed its survey of the status of infrastructure in the Hudson Valley, the most frequent refrain was, “But where will the money come from?” Another $1 billion could fund “small infrastructure” – projects associated with towns and villages for their water, sewer and roads. We urge that this money be offered with three requirements: some skin in the game (a 10 percent local match, assuming plans are ready to go within one year), proof that it will aid in the creation of jobs, and that the community submit a five-year plan (again, with much of this funded by the grant).
Third, let’s finally recognize that more than half of jobs created in New York state are in small business, and determine ways to grow and stabilize these businesses. This should have the added benefit of helping main streets throughout the state. Let’s also encourage communities to create community development plans. Too many downtowns are hurting.
Fourth, let’s invest in new industry and workforce development. And by that, we mean industry associated with well-paying jobs. If it takes time and research to figure out which industries those are, then let’s fund that. Think of the concerted effort that went into Global Foundries.
Finally, let’s incentivize college graduates to stay in the Empire State. One of our biggest exports is our college graduates; bright young people come here for college, then go outside New York to work. Let’s keep them here by paying off part of their debt if they stay and work in jobs programs (outside of the City of New York) within our most poverty-stricken areas. This could also help reverse current projections that show much of the state losing population over the next 30 years.
Clearly, lobbyists have their eyes on this pie. But some areas should not share in this particular windfall; timing is not right. Education just scored $2 billion in technology funds at the polls. And healthcare, though full of possibilities, is going through too much merger and readjustment to allow for wise investment. Moreover, both groups are likely to see help during the normal budget process.
So there you have it, our holiday list. It could be a prosperous New Year after all.
Jonathan Drapkin is the president and CEO of Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress, a nonprofit research, policy and planning group that seeks regional solutions to increase the vitality of the region. He can be reached at .