One-shot Wonders, no longer enough?
The duality of Republicanism in this country is just amazing. It’s painfully present within our own county legislature. Complain about the president’s stimulus plan as wasteful spending that is adding to our national debt at the same time complaining that we’re not getting enough of it. It’s like the joke about the two little old ladies in the dining area of the nursing home, where they live. The first lady says, “Don’t you think the food here is terrible?” and the second lady says, “Yes, and such small portions!”
Counties received millions in Medicaid reimbursement funds through the federal stimulus package that was passed in February 2009, and they could be used for nearly any purpose.”Medicaid is such a burden on counties in New York state,” said Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks.
“It’s certainly welcome news.”
In Monroe County, however, the anticipated Medicaid funds won’t close even half of a projected deficit in 2011, thus leaving open the possibility of the sale of county assets.
The county is in line for $17.6 million next year; the deficit is projected to be about $46 million.
“One-shots aren’t out of the picture with $17 million,” said county Finance Director Scott Adair.
The $66 million in stimulus funds that Monroe County received bridged deficits in 2009 and 2010, but the imbalance between expenses and revenues remains, and is projected at $109 million when gaps from 2011 and 2012 are combined.
“It’s almost impossible to reduce that gap without mandate relief and structural reform in Albany,” Brooks said.
So, our deficit is Albany’s fault? One wonders how much of the budget gap could be bridged by reining in our COMIDA program and actually collecting tax revenue from the companies who build here? Albany is trying to shore up it’s Empire Zone program. Maybe Monroe County needs to take a lesson from that.
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or if they stop spending tax money at strip clubs.
”Medicaid is such a burden on counties in New York state,” said Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks.
Huh? Not so much in Monroe County.