Can Albany Cut Down on Pork?
Each spring, as New York’s legislative leaders wind up budget negotiations, they divvy up tens of millions for projects justified by only sketchy proposals. These are the ”member items,” pet projects for individual legislators designed to curry support in home districts. Governor Cuomo wants to uproot this tradition; it’s a valiant undertaking. In election year 1986, spending on member items leaped to $80 million – nearly double the 1985 amount and $20 million above the ceiling agreed to by Governor Cuomo. The total may have been even higher. State Comptroller Edward Regan recently calculated that as much as $168 million was allocated for 2,744 projects supported by single members. Recipients range from a cheese museum and harness racing hall of fame to more obviously worthy programs of aid to the elderly and homeless. A useful new report by the Citizens Committee for Good Government points out that no serious attempt is made to evaluate member items or to weigh competing priorities.
