By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – State cuts to health care, social services, cultural organizations and education would be devastating. That was the message delivered by more than 50 speakers who testified at a hearing Tuesday in Buffalo. It was sponsored by the State Senate Democrats. Senators William Stackowski and Antoine Thompson hosted the hearing at the Buffalo Science Museum.
One by one leaders and representatives lined up to make their appeal. UB President John Simpson urged senators to support the policy changes that would help UB grow and increase its economic impact in Western New York.
"We are now in the midst of a University wide effort to decide exactly how we will take these cuts. But this is a body blow for us and it will have consequences for UB, our region and for our state," said Simpson.
Health care leaders also described how difficult fiscal times are affecting their industry. Kaleida Health CEO James Kaskie says additional cuts in 2009 would do enormous damage to the health care community.
"Our most recent estimates of the 2009 budget cuts to Kaleida Health is at least $14 million. ECMC is facing at least $11 million. What does this mean? Kaleida will need to lay off between 250 and 500 employees. Kaleida Health would be forced to close one-half of its 97 ambulatory clinics," said Kaskie.
The chief financial officer of the Buffalo Public schools also told state lawmakers that the Buffalo School District could be faced with as much as a $45 million budget deficit next year.