More from the NYS budget:

The improvement in the gaps since the Mid-Year Update is primarily the result of positive revenue revisions, consistent with current-year experience. Projected spending has been increased for the expected cost of Timothy’s Law (roughly $100 million annually), which was enacted in December 2006 and mandates expanded mental health coverage that will be subsidized in part by the State; and a recent court decision that barred the State from requiring public employees and retirees to pay a share of Medicare Part B premiums ($60 million in 2007-08; $31 million thereafter). In addition, revenues from a planned expansion of the video lottery terminal (VLT) program beginning in 2008-09 ($331 million) are no longer counted in the current services forecast. The VLT receipts that were counted on to support school aid must be replaced with General Fund resources, thus adding to the gaps.

Downward revisions for Medicaid, the Judiciary, and disaster assistance spending partially offset these costs. More detail on the receipts and spending revisions is provided later in this Financial Plan. 

Page 10:

 

In the fine print: 09-10 & 10-11 gap estimates? We’re “gapped” this far into the future? Holy crap-shit! When I was in the 5th grade my uncle told me to never “assume” anything because it makes an “ASS” out of “U” & “ME”.

Top shelf where Momma hides the cookies Briere’s the “cookie monster!”

I should have waited on this post. It started to snow again in Buffalo & it’s looking pretty shitty out there.

While Buffalo Geek is in a moment of clarity, his guest writers are hold up his blog great! I saw a post this morning & weighed in with my thoughts.

The stories are true to Buffalo’s sense of community. Check it out.

I think we’re taking this cold snap pretty well. I think the sunshine is helping today. There were people walking around. I went to work to shovel for my boss. I went to the store & was warm enough to take a different way home. I saw this & captured another winter picture to share.

 

I thought it looked like lonely footprints.

I overheard the children talking today about listening to “Mandatory Metallica” on the radio. Holy crap-shit! They are growing up so fast & rocking to the same stuff I did. I think it’s time I introduce them to this group.

 

 [Prop the official website of IM]

In Buffalo it’s 9º with a wind chill of -10 & no school again. I ran outside to snap a few pictures. If you have to be outside for more than a few minutes make sure all exposed skin is covered. Dress in layers.

 

It looks like the sun is trying to break through & from the inside you feel like it’s nice out. It’s really not though. Stay warm & stay safe WNY.