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Budget puzzles director The Governor's budget is puzzling to Sister Maureen Joyce, RSM, executive director for Catholic Charities of the Albany Diocese. While still awaiting an in-depth analysis from the Greater Upstate Law Practice, Sister Maureen said she could not understand how the proposed cuts would fill the $11.5 billion budget shortfall. Upon cursory examination of the budget proposal, "I could not reconcile some of the cuts represented in the budget with what the shortfall is," she said, calling the budget "short on detail." Sister Maureen believes the executive budget relies heavily on tobacco-settlement funds and cuts to the state's workforce, but she can't see that combination closing the budget gap. The director said the Governor's budget isn't "user-friendly" for those who want to quickly analyze it and learn how it will affect their services. However, she noted, "I heard a lot of very good things." For example, the budget allocates funds to help people with mental illness who have been sent to adult homes without support for their conditions. "That's a real positive," said Sister Maureen. She also applauded the fact that Gov. Pataki plans to continue funding for foster care, something Catholic Charities had anticipated ending. The director believes the real budget cuts will come not at the state level, but at the local level, as counties bear the brunt of trying to provide services the state will no longer fund. She concluded: "I cannot imagine we're not going to have some very difficult times." |