CSCS: Council of Senior Centers and Services of NYC, Inc.

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SAGE Commission meets

Monday, April 25, 2011

By: Nick Reisman

Publication & Publisher: YNN

The members of Governor Cuomo's commission on Spending and Government Efficiency met for the first time. The two dozen members are tasked with reforming state government for the first time in more than 80 years and they are up against a short timetable. Our Nick Reisman has the details.

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- Governor Andrew Cuomo is turning to members of the private and public sectors as he seeks the first reorganization of state government in a generation. His efficiency commission met for the first time Monday in what's expected to be a year-long process aimed at shrinking the size of state government.

"If we are to create jobs, we need a state government that will make that more possible," said Kodak CEO Antonio Perez.

The effort to consolidate and combine areas of state government won't necessarily mean layoffs.

"I think the commission is really focused on broader issues of operational improvement. And I don't expect the commission will be looking at any kind of specific employee reduction," said SAGE Co-Chairman Paul Francis.

Some consolidation efforts are already underway. The Department of Corrections and Division of Parole are being combined. And the Departments of Insurance and Banking merged into the Department of Financial Regulation.

"I hope that some of the recommendations could contribute to the 2012-2013 budget, but these are long-term efforts and they're also going to have a long-term impact and a short-term impact," Francis said.

Other areas of possible reduction include the myriad public authorities and corporations, which critics charge operate with little oversight and financial control.

"I'm particularly interested in getting my arms why we've never dealt with around the overabundance of public authorities, IDAs and other off-budget agencies of the government," said Senator Liz Krueger.

The commission's first recommendations are due November 15.