ALBANY — State lawmakers have not lost their appetite for pork.
The Senate and Assembly have stuffed millions of dollars in pork-barrel-type spending into nonbinding budget resolutions adopted Thursday — despite the fact that that governors have not allowed new legislative “member items” in the budget since 2010.
Lawmakers expressed their generosity in amounts big and small to a host of organizations, including $544,000 to the Apple Growers Association, $320,000 to the Berry Growers Association and $100,000 to the Wood Products Council.
The Wine and Grape Foundation also stands to receive at least $250,000 under the resolutions while the Christmas Tree Growers would get $125,000.
Critics were not surprised that lawmakers were once again trying to fund their pet projects.
“Pork never really disappeared,” said E.J. McMahon of the Empire Center for Public Policy, noting that lawmakers — and Gov. Cuomo — use capital projects and economic development initiatives as thinly veiled pork-barrel spending.
The Assembly’s budget resolution includes $300 million “for local and regional economic development initiatives,” $10 million for public libraries and $5 million to county and local fairgrounds.
The Senate’s budget resolution, meanwhile, would provide $500,000 for “North American Logger Training” at Paul Smith’s College in the Adirondacks.
Lawmakers defended the spending as vital to promoting economic growth in the state.
“There are a number of projects of regional significance and we want to make sure those are part of the budget talks,” Whyland said.
Senate GOP spokesman Scott Reif said the budget resolution would “create good-paying jobs and grow our economy.”
The budget resolutions serve as each chamber’s response to the spending plan presented by Cuomo in January. Legislative leaders and Cuomo have until March 31 to reach agreement on a final budget for the state.
© 2015 New York Daily News
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