1. Rightsizing NY’s Budget Panel: “Where the Bucks Are” Presentation of E.J. McMahon December 9, 2008

5. State aid to K-12 schools has risen 76% in the last 10 years, including 29% in the last three years, and the baseline calls a further 29% hike over the next three years. Enrollment during this period has decreased slightly, and is projected to remain flat over the next three years.

6. Medicaid spending is up only 11% in the last three years—including a decrease in fiscal 2007-08—but is projected to rise 32% over the next three years.

7. Wage increases under state worker labor contracts ratified since 2007 have added $525 million to the General Fund and $1 billion to the All Funds budget. Unless modified, the cost of these agreements will double by 2010-11. These figures do not include a $400 million reserve in 2009-10 for unresolved contracts with unions representing corrections officers and State Police investigators, among others.

8. Over the past four years, General Fund spending has risen 27 percent. If this portion of the budget had grown just 1 percent more slowly per year during this period, it would now total $2 billion less.

9. ?

10. 1.Set priorities -- focus on essentials. 2.Prune all branches. 3.Link local aid cuts to significant mandate relief. 4.Think long-term.