Time to talk politics it's hard line on news radio 930 WB. Now here's W.
And all day today we're going to be doing a bit of that Woodward and Bernstein paying back there in the Watergate they're -- when they said follow the money. We are going to be following the money much of our program will be dedicated to money today. No we're not to take stock tips no we don't do that we talk about policy we talk about government. We talk about things like the Erie county comptroller's race coming up at 11 o'clock. Well have a debate or or more -- an interviewer joint session. Between the two candidates there incumbent Democrat mark on -- joined by Republican challenger Phil cadet. In one hour. That's kind of set the stage and look at a broader sense of money issues they have also been in the news this week in Albany where we have. Quite a bit of change coming down from governor Paterson. He of course is announced that he's going to try and close the state budget deficit Andy's got all sorts of plans to do it. The governor's plan would basically try to take about three billion dollars and a close a gap that's already there for this particular earlier year. He's adding in some cuts to education Medicaid. He's got some other one shots like tax amnesty. He's raiding the State's environmental protection fund he's looking at that new fifth here. For pensions for state workers and he's also cutting some spending. We'll be talking about that with one of -- advocates whose -- time said we need to cut spending. EJ McMahon is with the empire center for New York policy. It's a think tank it is a conservative think tank it is talked quite a bit over the years. About the idea of trimming spending but before we get to EJ do -- just to play just a brief segment. From governor Patterson's interview on Friday he was with John -- and Susan rose. As part of the morning program this past Friday talking about all these budget cuts talking about how he tries he's trying at least two. Take the budget deficit and trim it down a little bit let's hear what he has to say and -- we'll pick up with a EJ McMahon.
Are you gonna pull this off a deepening deficit budget cuts. A revenue boost over the next two years and although twelve on any tax hikes.
Well in the first we have to look at what makes this problem more unique and any budget deficit we've faced. We called about three billion dollars in the middle of the year last year. But the difference here is that in December we have to make payments of the star program to have billion dollars for schools one point six billion dollars. For transit and local governments. For -- Providers of services not for profits as about another two billion dollars. And we can make almost payments on time. The state doesn't have the resource -- our cash on hand about three point six billion dollars. Last year we had four billion dollars more what's happened is the we've depleted most of our reserves. Fighting to reduce thirty billion dollars thirty billion dollar deficit eighteen months I've been governor. That's more that our five highest budget deficit annually combined we've never had a -- as a -- deficit so the problem is that we can't meet our payments. That's why -- need the legislature to reduce. Our deficit by three billion dollars balance our budget keep our credit ratings -- that's what I need done. Now. The reason I would even suggest taxes -- the increases is because we've already done that we've taxed. So much that people leaving this state and the revenues -- we were gonna get in taxes. Well all of our projections because. President while many of those people are unemployed now. And a lot of other people leaving the state because of high taxes so we've got to take make the top choices and cut in the budget and to your question John how we get it done. It's when legislators become responsible and grow up. And follow speaker Sheldon Silver -- having hearings immediately and even the minority leader of the that it has been deemed scales -- a Republican. Said that we need to cut more than I mean even proposing. Which was a brave thing to say that time like this and I commend both of those leaders to do and so I need -- legislature to follow.
That's governor David Paterson from an interview Friday it is online this morning at WBM dot com. And on the live line with us now part of the hardline program EJ McMahon from the empire center. Again and Albany based think tank that looks a budgetary matters and matters. Vijay thanks for being with us I wanna start out with a little bit of commentary on what the governor just said there. Is this from your point of view assault on the road to Damascus as he suddenly seen the light that you coping. Have been hoping of -- eyes for -- long time.
Well I did that in his case is difficult to tell the governor can be both. Confused and confusing. Talking about these positions. Last year up until December of western was talking very strong agreement was right on the mark. And but perhaps not by coincidence this poll ratings were also approval rate also rose from out of nowhere because nobody knew we were still pretty strong rating. Then he put -- budget which did not conform with his rhetoric it was kind of -- it was sort of lead and then did not have structural reforms that address the the fundamental problem that this sort of the whole holding actually didn't go far enough. He ended up agreeing to a budget that was just an extra have been politically Europe. A couple other federal stimulus money and -- and committed to. The largest tax increase increase in state history. And increased spending beyond what we can afford and it -- increased it department we can afford. Then he spent the last few months kind of spinning around -- you can Bernanke was the legislature would come up with a plan for reducing the budget. We need this month in revenue trends have gotten worse which was not completely unexpected. You don't go to division in July put out an individual economic reports Dreamweaver. Falling far behind that we have -- deficit in the current fiscal year which can convert -- two point one billion dollars. And that the governor would be putting data plan and early -- to -- full treatment when you he had done it. He -- this kind of embarrassing public meeting with legislative leaders a few weeks ago ordering appeared here on your particular ideas as well. The way it works in our system -- in those states systems the governor's post and keep up the legislature and as a practical matter you're not of the legislature volunteering big spending cuts but to start the process. So what he did this week was kind of overdue. And because he waited so allowed to do with this problem. He's now proposing things that are fairly drastic and disruptive and it's only the start of a multi year process that will be worse before it gets better.
And do we not need can we make the argument that we need drastic and I am I'm maybe not disruptive but certainly. As if a patient is dying at a table you have to plug your scalpel.
Well there's no question that there weren't that you have to remember that stayed in New York. Hit harder by the financial crisis than any other state with the exception of California the reason both states were particularly hard hit. By the downturn is because both states were overly dependent grossly wildly overly dependent on taxes paid by wealthy people. Forty X 41% of our income taxes in 2000 and came from the highest -- 1% of New York. A lot of that was so that income from the real estate bubble and especially the securities industry. During the list Goodyear. And we increased spending because of that and the -- went up all over 40% during George Pataki went five years as governor despite its attempts to do some. Eliot Spitzer didn't curb their treatment at first you're even though there was something about the economies in the other direction. And so Paterson inherited debt situation and spending trend that was out of control. The economy in New York is now to reset the entire state budget has been geared to become. Too heavily dependent on and there are political taxpayers who earn their money on Wall Street. And that's changed forever not temporarily forever and regeneration. And so we've got to make really drastic changes in state government and unfortunately with the governor still. It simply -- that approach that is mixed in temporary spending a temporary havens and just sort of lack. Late last. Without addressing the fundamental drivers spend.
Earlier this week the comptroller Tom to Napoli came out with announcement that said the deficit for this coming fiscal year. Would be closer to four billion the governor the governor's cuts the things he unveiled earlier this week are about three billion. Are we suddenly. I'm is that math apparent that we suddenly still a billion dollars in the hole here and if you I don't know that.
I think he's about a billion dollars behind the curve potentially which is why one reason why he's still sitting on over a billion dollars in cash reserves because they make they may need it. In order to pay their bills. So that the very very good situation and then even worse. You've got an immediate response and some people the legislature including the chairman of the finance committee -- permit. Carl Kruger and senator from Brooklyn. What that things weren't so bad in the academy and was looking up there and is that they thought maybe the governor was crying wolf. This is really really disturbs.
So what not a good time. You've been studying this sort of thing for awhile. If if you word David Paterson right now what could you have done differently here or how perhaps should he proceeded and I realize that that's another.
Things he should have been started he should have been working to reduce the budget almost from the moment well. From the moment to you should agree to this -- in the first -- it's definitely what I start being David Paterson but let's say it became David that is definitely grew to the budget deal. In April he should have begun working right then. Do everything in his power administratively to reduce spending in the budget. He -- got much tougher with the state employee here's a really interesting thing about different about New York. All over the country in the interstates and big budget problems governors in both political parties Republicans and Democrats liberals and conservatives. And -- very tough but there's simply. -- we're going to concessions from you or were going to do layoffs or furloughs. And in every one of the about every one of those student union could not produce much and it's important because in fact in the overdue. And those governors have for instance to -- and stunned furloughs that is involuntary digital for a short period which way to get a pay cut. Now that's the disruptive. Ugly way of reaching savings but they've done that because they know they've got to be sure and they have to spread the impact. Throughout the budget. In New York. Governor Paterson never really wanted. To look. He refused to it is probably there are consequences for them until the two days before he agreed to the budget. It's got to commit to lure people don't -- concessions. Seven months later he returned to deal with them still basically offers severance -- people who were eligible to retire anyway 20000. Which by the way they're not taking because we'll consider that it is not enough people taking between. Although. Going against the national trend. -- employees in the State's two big problems. Not only have they work has been almost untouched by this they've got the pay increases here.
What about his arguments that while hey I'm I'm revamping the pension system. The legislature has to pass this tier five and everything will be okay.
what he's proposing enterprise. It is is that basically the my modest changes. What he's proposing that sort of modest changes. In the pension benefits structure that would essentially roll the current pension benefits structure all the way back from time to the early 1990s. Meaning it would basically. Take back the access would be that would be that would sweeteners that was given to the unions. During the economic boom it's still that the pension system would remain fundamentally. Are affordable and an enormous. You definitely birdies for generations to come it was it's now it's something and in those. Strictly speaking and something is better than nothing but he's the governor also clearly has no strategy for getting to your your your prime minister in the war. In fact what's what was well we heard around Albany and the governor proposed to -- side which she. And he will step the teacher unions statewide want no part of it sort of unions in New York City government. And instead we -- union broke -- portable agreed to. Were the unions representing state government employees now there's one other thing you need to remember and keep in mind living here about pension reform and unions. It's actually against the lord -- the collectively bargain pension benefits significant. There agreement acceptable -- and reformed it's not required. You can do this without their permission.
But wouldn't that be asking for all sorts of grievances from --
No there is no agreement the legislature tomorrow could change every public pension and state without consulting experience. But they want because the union basically your -- ended the fourth branch of government. And -- the biggest problems we have.
EJ McMahon a series with the empire center for New York policy. If you'd like to get in on the conversation we'd love to have your number is 8030930. For the toll free line 1806169236. That's 616 WB and we detect quick break will be back you mentioned 1990 a little bit earlier allow look at some history and how much of this was an inherited problem how much of this is my BF. A systemic deeply ingrained problem. EJ McMahon is here is with the empire center and we'll be back with more. And 34 degrees now AccuWeather says -- get a high of fifteen this is hard line on news radio 930 WB and good morning. My name's Dave Bebo with me for the balance of this hour. EJ McMahon from the empire center for New York policy. We'd love to have you aboard as well couple phone lines open 8030930. Won't get to those in just a very quick second but I do after. Stick to my promise us I was gonna ask you a little bit about history. I can think back there was a time under the Cuomo administration. Where we face the same sort of scenario where there was midyear budget cuts especially hitting school district -- how is this in any way different eject.
It's more similar than different. The big difference between this situation and apparently 2009. And the situation in late 1991. Governor Cuomo. I live -- big here. Is that the outlook in future years going forward from here is even worse than it was in nineteen Canadian and community that was pretty bad. And well that's the main difference is that it's very that was certainly certainly different the outlook could be worse.
Now from an individual point of view though if if they cut my school district and my district still wants to have art and music and sports programs. And they can just turn around and raise my property taxes right.
Well I don't mean I think that the main problem here is that the governor. -- not suggesting it equipping school district with many tools to -- is -- And in a way that would -- allowed him. I'm more flexibility to deal with lower funding and Atlanta and also there's no protection for taxpayers and this is ironic because this governor. Just over fifteen months ago was the first governor in New York history to propose any -- binding school property tax cut.
And is that out there anywhere today -- is it pretty much died.
Unfortunately what's out there today it remember that cap actually Penn -- Lester. Today what he did this year was ignored the issue until very late legislative solution that would propose a new version of the cap. That's reported until it which basically would have undermined the whole purpose. We basically. Ensures that apple now we have no friends anywhere and never talked about it again. But in fact now with the with the pressure that's gonna come down on school aid in the way you described now and in the future. Now more than ever property taxpayers need that extra.
Or they will land of facing. Big -- regardless.
They can you know and there's nothing there -- people have focused on. They can -- down their local school budget. And there's that you know the -- contingency spending limit on budgets so which is generally has not been that effective. However this kind of statistical quirk in the in emissions. Inflation. Statistics that probably -- would force most districts to essentially free they're spending next here. Before he goes to continue to -- it they don't get a tax increase now. The big problem all districts have is that they're locked into contracts that and sure their teachers of pain principal. The statewide average this year in the that the school district for giving teacher pay teacher pay increases. Including automatic annual longevity increments over 5%. Now that's not true in every district everywhere masters -- from districts for some Western New York federal below. But make the main problem school districts have this is two full. They're locked into collective bargaining agreement that required pay increases for teachers and those same collective bargaining agreement of the little flexibility in deciding how to reduce the workforce. If they need to -- in other words the most of them have political listed first opposition's home. The and the most recently hired teachers are the women would first -- political officer. Which is accrued re doing it is one other aspect about the school this year but you'll hear school sporting. I'm the governor pointed out personable and he definitely cuts that the school district on average have reserve funds they have on restricted surplus -- their holding in reserve. That total war in those cases in the school because he's proposing.
So they can dip into their rainy day fund if they have to is what you're saying.
I'm in the -- in the buffalo area of the largest suburban districts have reserve fund about places -- as stated -- close. Now those districts I think what you'll hear from them -- what you have good basically the State's rainy days until and he's not touching his. That the reason for that is what you mentioned at the top of the -- our conversation. Which is -- in fact that distinctive looking with companies probably closer to a four billion dollar deficit this year could bring them three -- He needs authentication reserving that the state doesn't actually run out of here and have to resort to an end user borrowing money.
we have a couple calls trickling in its time for our quick news break we'll be back to take those calls. Its hardline on news radio 930 WB and this is Dave 24 minutes from now we'll take a quick break and then we'll chat with a two man that want to be Erie county's comptroller. In the meantime we're talking about the state budget state spending. State unions. That the midyear cuts that are going to probably hit shore school district if you'd like to learn a little bit more about that EJ McMahon is here. He's with the community think tank the empire center for New York policy. Our number is 8030938030931806169236. -- going to the phones we do have room for you by the -- 8030930 let's go to the phones and kick it off with John and Rochester hello you're on the air.
I gave I -- became that was built on it by the statement you made that up. The legislature state legislature actually has the power to legislate. Agreed to basically. -- turned back because these are contract would that apply to what state workers -- also sparked school school district.
What they have been -- they have the power to change the existing -- pension benefits for newly hired employees. All right so the constitution. As an ironclad guarantees that public employee pension benefits can't be reduced. So nobody can propose any change in pension benefits for people who already work for the government New York including somebody who's young and just got tired.
But by fiat they can change it for all incoming regardless of where we're terrified at.
How would create that would ban the curve overtime but the way it's essential. Well now that the governor Paterson and I think did the right thing last year when he he he going to be taking bad. At first the public employee unions -- them. There was a lot of declaration of public employees -- put out all kinds of detrimental commercials etc. the governor. Governor backed off -- seem to mediate bit. That the governor. Again took on the public employee unions in a big big way. Said he would get uptight to get rival and I think a lot of people independents like myself what -- your thoughts there.
I think you make a good point here I think that his popularity has suffered because he hadn't taken on -- the interest that's because he has. He leaned against the believe otherwise seems to think that that program. It's well worth it it's not worth of the damage to pick from from you know building those commercials and human. For instance if he goes do kind of approach battle pain and by the way. It is truly an extent that if you're out there on your -- as governor trying to cut the budget. And unions not just public employee unions that is softer worker's union and -- admitted he could spend billions of dollars went ahead on -- And commercials portray you -- dead man who's trying to hurt you know the elderly and sick in the poor. Your popularity will pick a bit of repeating but at this point his approval rating and so. Pertaining spectrum -- particular -- it will receive. All of means.
To me it almost seems to me like he's up. He would tell it picked up for the future I think he has a future. In Democratic Party if he did take on the public employees in a big way I think its future her Democratic Party. Two appointments for future positions would be up her quite a bit.
I think you may be. -- we can't be sure correspondent thank you may be putting your finger on the only explanation we could be sent because. It is the beginning of the total.
Now what about although the mothers and the fathers in the people who have their kids in school. This is I hear about school cuts I think oh gosh they're goes the boys' football program or the other kids our program. Automatically something like that would make him surely a little less popular would that not.
Are well worth it yes but I think that again it's incumbent on him. Who do a better job of explaining it also for example of unfortunately the way he started the process this week. Was where they prolong. Sort of -- about how much how painful this was -- incredibly painful more painful than we could realize. Now you've got to remember with a -- guess we're facing this is just start. And what he doesn't mention in what I think people would have taken perspective if if if the pictures -- instead stating that the public schools has risen 76% in the last ten years including 29% of all three years. This rising this year even in and sinking economy with a sinking CPI. And not the problem is we can't afford to keep increasing the threat level and that unfortunately. This gonna need to be property in this area underneath the fundamental restructuring of the -- week. -- govern public schools I think differently and could explain to parents step. We also need to reform candidates step we impose on public schools that they excluded were closer than it needs to be. That we need to get rid of its local -- provision that requires school districts to to continue increasing teacher salaries and there's no contract at the moment.
All right our fellow lets us like another one in here Paul in you're on a cell -- go ahead you're on the air.
it all argue. It's too. I you're you're sort of acquires -- level you're saying one thing that's been puzzling me is the school administrator for a long long time is. We're being riddled with the notion of transparency these days. And you know we're bombarded. Seventeen different ways and I've found is an administrator that are taking all kinds of financial resources. From the -- from the taxes and applying them towards. Modern standards. Rather -- children's education in question is.
I use -- district administrator Paul.
Yes very. And we're. Where is the transparency. For our summit there happily in the Caracol -- that -- but I will tell you the amount of money that they are spending. Crawling all over school districts which are political money the way from. Children's programs and education are off the charts nobody knows how much you're spending and it's all peak Spectra were you know -- when you're frank is so. And it's just what what are we gonna eternal sense about this --
Well I think you're not gonna hear me you know condemned. Improve financial transparency for any level government. I do think that what we lack here is that I think that this. The control result this should work with -- school districts to develop a common standard. Common accounting standards well. Or public sectors -- finances including school district finances to be. Recorded in shared with the public and consistent basis according to a consistent standard now that's a closely process. And supporting out. Because school districts right now keep their records and record their finances -- holes in different ways. And that probably should be phased in with the state assistance over a number of years. But and I'm not gonna complain about transparency I do think -- question whether a lot of these controller units have been effective. And represented effectiveness of resources at the moment but I could not -- critical principal financial transparency. But I think that it would have been if that's needlessly coarsely. And I think you and your old school administrators -- to propose alternatives. That would achieve the goal transparency without being wasteful because I don't find what he's been unbelievable. But I don't think the public transparency of the delay in -- to be done.
How -- tough --
I'm a full favor transparency absolute full they were transcripts will likely techsters in New York. It's for the countless office also be transparent. And in total agreement and about transparency.
One of the ways I know they do that we'll get to that with AJ and Justin EJ rather in just a little bit. They have at the empire sent to develop something called C through New York which is a website that I don't. Okay that's trying to build some of the transparency what will definitely touch on that after the break but before I let you go. I wanna find out what kind of all horns. Of a dilemma you're sitting on right now. I heard you say preaching to the choir you certainly want savings. But at the same time you've got to make these budgets meat and the governor just cut out just some some legs from underneath you. How was a school administrator to go forward from here.
What's very difficult I mean obviously -- you with a little help people really understand it labor ally in the airlock in the application that tribe Earl. And and everything oh. It's it's it's very very difficult and what what. Complexes may have it would be really answered -- what we've got to go back to taxpayers and that in a very difficult economy and the poor folks. Is that there isn't happening -- do you like the point.
announces listing go aren't there.
But -- assistant district superintendent for theory and policy that at 27 school districts. I represent from your record Orchard Park Easter are all laid out wherever Ripley but got a -- districts and I've got very very you know port district. In the poor folks are voting with their feet in his sleep and actually do we let everybody -- area it's they're they're dealing with less and less and less. We -- consolidation. Studies and people get to vote and they don't really understand what potential savings and very very difficult for reprint them and me. In the worst -- in more money. Where we used to be able to put them in their children's programming into -- Things that are you know. Dictated by you know the -- is not that they're in the general's investigation with the 211 waivers and doubled -- kill people don't understand. The impact. Of those kind the city that it's not.
Address the cash reserves at the various districts have conveyed dip into that enough to avert some of these troubles.
Yeah but if you look at a very very carefully you know I right now like -- conduct superintendent -- is an electric liberate detail but I gotta expect got to western new York and went into another search. If you take a look at it. Depending on the demographics the particular districts. And there are a lot of people who are saying okay we pick and either reserves but it -- he gets to -- like decrease our taxes. But then there's nothing and that you know he talked about you know he's been to legally protect and preserve the state level well at the same time -- Look at the groups who I understand their point they wanna get -- back into the end the taxpayers. But pretty soon nobody's gonna -- to hear it terror or any that are.
I can understand that the -- just interject because most. They need to have some amount of money in reserve in order and people look over their care slowly got to pay their -- certain time will become -- right I don't think there's been a lot of except that -- I think this is especially in the damn -- if there's enormous reserves some of them hidden that's sort have been really. I've -- got to come out from under the -- good news but the fact remains that what am user reserve. It's gone. And read that and that should -- be used to engineer it's awfully big. To a carefully planned for the transition to a different level of spending. Unfortunately ambiguous -- and very disruptive and doesn't offer good planning and reduce -- that was necessary because. The governor essentially dormant for too long before I started to address this problem.
Palm awfully glad you called and especially I'm I'm gonna thank you for all your candor there. Really good insect colony time -- quick one -- before the break we go off to friendship down and Allegheny County Brian Europe on the air at least. I think you -- There we go the machines cooperating go ahead you're on the act.
TJ always enjoy reading your articles in the paper appreciate the work you. Smart -- try to bring to bear aware of this problem. What I'd like to ask is this. Living in a very port colony my late father had better professor and in the sixties pizza you know we've been forgotten for decades down here. And I laugh because I didn't understand it being too young. But what baffles me is the local share of a coney budget. When you really think about it for Allegheny County it's up around twenty million. That is not that much money and it baffles me why this state would imperil so many people. That our seniors don't -- low income to the point that I think there's a domino effect. That will just reduce tax revenues and everything all across the board it just baffles me that it's seems to be. The last staff GAAP. Measured. To hit the property tax and then again here comes the school tax increases. And the people just don't have that. Down here and I I don't see an end of this it's just it's just baffles me.
By I think the problem that utilize the powerful interest groups that rely on the other side of reform here. -- generally you're you're talking about the labor unions both in the public sector and indicates the hospitals in the private sector. And in the and in the and in the health care lobby among those providers benefit most from Medicaid. Now that's a big long complex story but. When questions like yours -- restaurant -- sometimes people come up with an answer that seems obvious and simple that is unfortunately also wrong. Which is that -- you know we are suffering from various property taxes here in you know fill in the blank county's special someplace for a state. And it is obviously in this state should be taking overall probably shouldn't because property tax. In fact there's a there's groups the so called property tax reform reformers in some parts of the stated that the proponents of this is to get rid of the property -- Or to shift toward December and some other mechanism shift forward most of the property expert an interest -- the state income -- Here's the problem. Even though you're very very heavily impact relative to their incomes and property values and their friendship and in other parts of rural Western New York. But before the intimate New York State basically -- apple released huge amounts of money go from downstate -- That's basically the way it is upstairs -- more often than under the impression that there are subsidizing fantastic it's actually the reverse is true. The problem is that what are now experiencing. That and that. The world has increased because of the boom on Wall Street. But starting in the 1980 they would never is dependent on the financial sector and -- its original certificate -- manufacturing shrank upstate. In other industries changed and left Wall Street picked up the slack. Well that's over. You can't bring order out of the stone we're seeing now have a tax collections now. They've increased taxes -- your personal income tax and a New York State and put the proper proper levels for the proper. But it 31%. -- repeat at 31%. It was the biggest single tax increase. Income tax increase of 1960. The New York State. And -- know what happened to the latest quarterly estimated tax payments by wealthy people they're down 17%.
Make his people like Tom Golisano leave.
Not just couldn't believe effectively ending and had even started in a big way. I don't think it's because this is partly because they're leaving combo that'll save thirteen thousand dollars today for example. But it's also because. You know they're they've lost income and also the -- welcome people respond when they're marginal rates sharply increased. Is that they take steps through their tax lawyers and accountants and financial planners. To restrict and reduce the amount of money they exposed tactics. The well known phenomenon and it's gonna get worse as the federal government taxes over the next few years which is certain that happen.
All right we're gonna take quick break we'll be back and wind up with -- last phone calls on the other side the stage to the yen. As a sideline and news radio 930 WBN AccuWeather says a high today of fifty right now sunny skies out there and forty degrees. Couple minutes left with EJ McMahon from the empire center for New York policy. Speaking of sunshine and no -- I think it was Oliver Wendell Holmes had that old quote about sunshine being -- a universal disinfectant. And I didn't want to talk a little -- about how law. How you've got the see through New York site. -- so -- play if you take only a little bit of time to discuss it will make sure and we put a link up on the -- now but -- WB and outcome. Describe the -- what can people see they're in terms of transparency.
What was right and pulled -- through and -- dot net. He threw at one dot net. We have upon there are payrolls for the state government local public school districts throughout the state you could look up and see what you're Texans are paying for. Basically they're just about every single public complete New York State didn't even salaries up there. The teachers' contracts and every school district superintendent of schools contracts. Legislative expenditures by the legislators state legislators offices on a quarterly I don't know if you're basis are up there. And pork barrel expenditures typical member items of -- up there.
All right -- make sure there's a link on our side again that'll be. Before I leave today they'll be up on the get it now button at WBM dot -- another time a few quick -- to squeeze this last call and go ahead you're on there.
morning. Listen this thing with the wages and no let nine whom English is gonna go on forever okay. People now are working for half a no benefit yet people who union make a third mark if retirement there health care Bob Papa. Well we should do would take a look at normally they post the wages. Apprentice next send out an hour at twelve dollars and argument fifteen dollar an hour and end to benefits edged countrywide. They negotiate once -- the controller or race or whatever. And companies can raise your prices want to hear in between there is no inflation anybody cooperation appraiser trying to do something. Goes to jail we -- to take a look at this is the only way we're gonna resolve this. We can access.
All right EJ what do you think would that work here we have about a twenty seconds.
Across the public and private sectors Romo and the public kind of heavily controlled system we'll know much about it but I think what we're trying we're legitimacy to analyze -- to people -- What's the deal is in the public sectors you can do you have what you're your -- direction painful.
All right thanks so much for your time today. EJ McMahon with the empire center for New York policy up next on the other side of the news we'll have the two candidates for Erie county comptroller here it's hard -- on news radio 930 WB and.
