Still NO Budget in New York

The New York State budget is due on April 1. It is now April 2nd and still no budget. Over the weekend there were hopes that Albany would pass an on-time budget. That is apparently not going to happen. According to numerous media reports, see:

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=677328

The budget is being delayed due to many outstanding issues such as New York City Mayor Micheal Bloomberg's congestion bill, education financing, and a $1.25 per pack cigarette tax.

With discussing education, the New York Post reports that New York State spends more per student than any other state (and Washington, DC). See:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/04022008/news/regionalnews/ny_no__1_in_school_spending_104612.htm

Is this something we should be proud of? Do we have the best education system in the state? Do we have the highest high school graduation rates? No. This is another example of how throwing more money at an issue does not fix the problems. I hope the lawmakers working out the budget just do not throw more money down the drain (I mean in the education budget) but try to fix the problems that we are facing.

What? A $1.25 per pack tax! Are $7 cigarettes going to save the state? The state may very well lose tax revenue because people are going to buy cigarettes elsewhere. It might not have been cost-efficient to drive to Vermont or New Hampshire to buy cigarettes cheaper but it may be if this passes. Also, I know people that buy their cartons from Indian reservations to save money. How many more are going to take this step and by-pass the state tax system altogether?

Maybe we should be looking at ways to cut spending not just increase fees and taxes.