In response to the ongoing economic crisis in the State and nation, the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2009-10 Executive Budget recommends $9.5 billion in spending reductions, $3.1 billion in new and higher taxes and fees, and $1.1 billion in nonrecurring resources to close an anticipated $13.7 billion SFY 2009-10 General Fund deficit, including shortfalls expected in the Health Care Reform Act (HCRA) funds.

The December 2008 Cash Report indicates that tax collections, while in line with current Financial Plan projections released with the Governor’s proposed budget on December 16, again illustrate a slowing economy.

The Enacted Budget for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2009-10 clearly demonstrates the need for comprehensive fiscal reform.

This Report on Estimated Receipts and Disbursements for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2009-10 through SFY 2011-12, issued pursuant to Chapter 1 of the Laws of 2007, is intended to facilitate continuing discussion of the State’s economic condition and the State Budget.

New York State has already been forced to take extraordinary measures to meet its existing obligations in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2009-10. The decline in revenue associated with the most severe recession since the Great Depression and the State’s continuing failure to address its worsening structural budget imbalance have combined to create a severe cash flow crunch.

The Executive has proposed a spending plan for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2010-11 that relies heavily on recurring spending cuts and revenue actions to produce a cash balanced budget, including provisions to roll a projected current year deficit forward.

The Executive Budget released in January 2010 proposed to roll the projected $500 million current year General Fund deficit into State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2010-11.

The need for fiscal reform in New York State could not be more compelling. Despite significant spending cuts and revenue increases proposed in the Executive Budget, New York State still faces major projected budget gaps in future years—a cumulative three-year General Fund budget deficit that could exceed $30 billion through State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2013-14.

The General Fund is the main operating fund of the State and is traditionally used to measure the State’s projected budget deficit.

While the State ended State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2009-10 with a positive General Fund balance and all restricted reserves intact, this was accomplished because the Executive delayed $1.1 billion more in payments than had been anticipated in February.