JOINT QUICK START BUDGET REPORT ISSUED BY DIVISION OF THE BUDGET, SENATE AND ASSEMBLY

The Executive and both houses of the Legislature today issued a joint “quick start” report as required by the Budget Reform Act of 2007. The report includes a summary of each house’s assessment of the State’s economic outlook, and a forecast for several of the State’s major programs, including school aid, Medicaid and welfare.

The goal of “quick start” is to bring the parties together in advance of the Governor’s budget submission to begin an open, public dialogue on the fiscal outlook for the upcoming year.

On November 9, the Division of Budget and fiscal staff from the Senate, Assembly, and Comptroller’s Office met publicly to review and discuss their individual forecasts. The joint report is required by law to be issued by November 15 each year.

A copy of the “quick start” report can be found at: http://www.budget.state.ny.us/pubs/press/2009/hearings/quickStart/2009QuickStartReport.pdf

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