Sunday, March 11, 2012

Scott Stringer's undemocratic plan

From the Daily News:

It would be the third largest state budget in the country. $68.7 billion. Only it’s not a state budget — it’s New York City’s. And it’s your money. But you would need a Ph.D. in cryptology to figure out how it’s being spent.

At a time when every tax dollar is precious and middle-class families across our city are struggling to make ends meet, New York has a responsibility to make the budget process transparent and equitable. Unfortunately, this is impossible with the spending blueprint that will be debated between now and June 30.

Our budget is a byzantine maze that, among other unique features, gives local elected officials wide discretion to dole out tax dollars to worthwhile groups like Little Leagues, senior centers and other nonprofits through grants known as member items — but with little public participation.

We desperately need to open up the process, so that New Yorkers can play a more direct role in the allocation of these resources.


Just when you think he is headed in the right direction, he goes down this path:

We are establishing independent panels (made up of policy experts, community board members and City Council representatives) that will make recommendations on the distribution of these resources.

You think that policy experts, community board members and City Council representatives will make this process more democratic?

Are you shitting me? These are all people beholden to the Mayor and City Council for their positions. How about getting rid of ice cream money like they have on the state and federal levels? This would make the process - as well as our elections and community board participation - highly democratic!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

independent panels of city council bureaucrats ? you mean exactly like the democrat obamacare law which mandates that( I.P.A.B.) INDEPENDENT PANEL ADVISORY BOARD members ,that he appoints, decide if seniors are treated by their doctors or left to die ?

WOW, the rino's and progressives do legislate quickly from Nation to NYC, don't they ?

freedom or tyrrany, you still can choose.

Anonymous said...

He's such a dik.........

Anonymous said...

Keep voting democrats, keep voting democrats but if you do, do not complain...

Anonymous said...

"We are establishing independent panels (made up of policy experts, community board members and City Council representatives) that will make recommendations on the distribution of these resources."

Policy experts means consultants who are beholden to the politicians for their contracts, community boards are the minor leagues for future politicians and city council members will pander and dish out the cash for votes.

In other words, out goes the funding for seniors, little leagues, parks, etc. and in comes funding for LGBT groups, multi-cultural centers, illegal immigrant causes, etc.