The problem with the jobs bill

"So why is congressional approval of a $26.1 billion measure to help states save the jobs of teachers, police officers and other public servants such a bitter, divisive and altogether partisan matter?" asks today's Times Union editorial.

The problem from the state's perspective is that the federal largess undoes much of the budget cutting the governor drove through this year, raising up again a state spending baseline which is ultimately unaffordable -- (that and the money is not directed where it's most needed).  How are next year's state politicians supposed to summon up the political will to restrain spending, which the TU and about every other editorial board agrees is necessary, if this year's shortfall is depicted as so harmful that the feds have to step in to fill it? Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Albany's biggest spender, held up the state budget because he didn't want to write off the potential FMAP infusion from the feds, and lo and behold most of that money did show up. This will reduce state pols' incentive to make necessary cuts in the future.

Whether the feds can afford this is also open to question. According to the TU, it's partly paid for by delaying food stamp benefit increases, which they are rightly dubious about. But House Democrats, according to the editorial, "are talking already about restoring benefits that help feed more Americans than ever." Republicans, meanwhile, are demanding that the Bush tax cuts be extended indefinitely. No one in Washington seems concerned about making the numbers add up either there or in the states.

Comments

[Brian]

The problem with this bill is its timing. It can solely be used to mitigate teacher unemployment but how? Reports say that money won't arrive for another 45 days. What school is going to bring in new staff, re-arrange classes, class size and scheduling on October 1? None! Which means that if they did re-hire anyone, it probably wouldn't be until January and they'd only get a half year... those who haven't already found other jobs. And of course, this money is a one-shot deal so schools are just going to have to re-fire anyone they re-hire after only half a year. The problem with NYS education is that the state mandates too much vis-a-vis the aid it provides to districts. I re-state my long-held belief that the state should cover 100% of whatever it mandates and let districts cover anything optional (sports, clubs, etc). This might make the state a little less willy nilly about what it mandates.