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Phone: 212.430.9044 Email: SamuelsForLG@gmail.com

MEDIA RELEASE
For Release: For More Info:
Sunday, May 23, 2010 Doug Forand: 917-733-2763

Democrat Bill Samuels: Time for State Government to

Stop Avoiding Tough Choices in Budget
Democratic activist Bill Samuels, candidate for Lieutenant Governor and State Senate
President, today called upon the Legislature and Governor to stop avoiding the difficult
decisions made necessary by the current fiscal crisis, and instead adhere to strict standards
of fiscal integrity as they seek to resolve the budget.

“For decades our State Government, under both Democrats and Republicans, has been
guilty of fiscal mismanagement and short-sighted decisions which have led us to the point
we’re at now,” explained Samuels. “To resolve our current fiscal problems, we must
recognize that the failed policies of the past are no solution and we need to make mature,
difficult choices. This may not be popular, but if legislators are unwilling to make the tough
choices, they have no business being in office.”

“Borrowing money for operating expenses, giving away rebates with money we don’t have
and proposing illegal furloughs instead of streamlining government to increasing productivity
are the actions of a state government that is avoiding its responsibilities instead of doing the
people’s work,” said Samuels.

“So while I support many elements of the fiscal reform plan put forth by Lieutenant Governor
Ravitch, such as following GAAP standards, I cannot support the idea of borrowing money
to pay for operating expenses,” Samuels stated. “These are the same fiscal practices that
brought New York City to the brink of bankruptcy in the 1970’s, and it should not be done
now. Borrowing money simply puts off a day of reckoning that is inevitable, and it’s better
that we face that reality now.”

Samuels also cited the recent passage of 92% of the school budgets as evidence that belt-
tightening is possible if necessary.

“Voters in those school districts voted for budgets that were based upon the proposed
decreases in funding from the Governor’s initial budget. Those voters and school boards
made the responsible choices that the legislature has been avoiding,” said Samuels.

Samuels went on to explain that the STAR rebate checks, which have become a sticking
point in negotiations, are not fiscally viable this year.
“Yes, our property taxes are too high but STAR rebate checks, while popular, are born of
the worst type of political posturing. In past years, politicians have basically overtaxed us so
they can send us a check just before the elections. That’s preposterous,” Samuels said. “If
we have extra revenue, we should lower taxes on middle class families and not overtax
them so we can act like we’re doing them a favor by sending them their own money back.
And in this fiscal environment, there’s simply no money to pay for this.”

Samuels also addressed the issues of furloughs, which have been included in the most
recent budget extenders, but have been rejected by the courts as illegal.

“The furloughs proposed by Governor Paterson, which I believe are not legal, are also not a
real fiscal reform and should not be done,” Samuels said. “Taking away 20% of a working
person’s income because of the inability of the Governor and Legislature to agree on a
budget is ethically and fiscally wrong. Just as Attorney General Cuomo has proposed, I
strongly support consolidation of agencies, authorities and local taxing entities to lower
property taxes and lower the cost of running New York State’s government.”

Finally, Samuels announced his support for the soda tax, but on the grounds that it would
ultimately lead to decreased health care costs for the state.

“Studies show that health care for a person who is obese costs as much as $2,460 more
per year than someone who is not obese. That drives up Medicaid costs, insurance costs,
and it costs businesses money in lost worker productivity. Just as tobacco taxes have led to
a dramatic decrease in smoking rates and smoking-related health care costs, we can use
the soda tax to decrease obesity and decrease obesity-related health care costs,” Samuels
stated.

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