STATEMENT

by Kathryn S. Wylde, President and CEO
PARTNERSHIP FOR NEW YORK CITY

New York, New York
January 31, 2007

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Statement by the Partnership for New York City President and CEO Kathryn S. Wylde On Governor Spitzer's Budget

“The Partnership strongly endorses the Governor's proposed increase in spending on public education, that is coupled with a new level of accountability from the education system. Most important, the Governor sets forward a new funding formula that would fairly and openly allocate state education aid to local school districts. New York State's current web of funding programs and property tax machinations fail to allocate resources on the basis of student need or professional performance. Under the Governor's approach, the public will finally be able to 'follow the money' that the State is spending on education.

“The Partnership also strongly supports the Governor’s proposals to make structural changes in the state healthcare system that will reduce overall costs and expand coverage to uninsured children. The proposals that are designed to reverse spiraling Medicaid spending are particularly important to the taxpayers of New York State. They are tailored to actually increase funding for the intended low-income beneficiaries of this program, while forcing hospitals to curb expenses. Health care and health insurance costs in New York State are the highest in the country and the Governor's budget proposals will bring these costs into line.”

The Partnership for New York City (www.pfnyc.org) is a network of business leaders dedicated to enhancing the economy of the five boroughs of New York City and maintaining the city’s position as the global center of commerce, culture and innovation.