The need for fiscal reform in New York State could not be more compelling. Despite significant spending cuts and revenue increases proposed in the Executive Budget, New York State still faces major projected budget gaps in future years—a cumulative three-year General Fund budget deficit that could exceed $30 billion through State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2013-14.

The General Fund is the main operating fund of the State and is traditionally used to measure the State’s projected budget deficit.

While the State ended State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2009-10 with a positive General Fund balance and all restricted reserves intact, this was accomplished because the Executive delayed $1.1 billion more in payments than had been anticipated in February.

The proposed State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2010-11 Executive Budget released in January projected a five-year cumulative current services deficit exceeding $60 billion.

The 2010-11 State Fiscal Year (SFY) began more than 100 days ago, but the State budget is still incomplete. Since March, the Executive has proposed and the Legislature has enacted 12 temporary spending bills to allow governmental functions to continue during the budget delay.

As with other states, New York State has struggled with the lasting effects of the nation’s longest recession since the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Over the past ten years, New York has spent $63.2 billion to support its capital program. Despite this significant investment, there are many critical capital needs across the State that remain unmet, calling into question the adequacy and effectiveness of the current capital planning and financing process.

This Report on Estimated Receipts and Disbursements for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2010-11 through SFY 2012-13, issued pursuant to Chapter 1 of the Laws of 2007, is intended to facilitate continuing discussion of the State’s economic condition and the State Budget.

The State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2011-12 Executive Budget makes significant progress in addressing the State’s structural deficit by bringing recurring spending into better alignment with recurring revenue.

The budget process for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2011-12 is well underway, with several milestones reached. On March 1, the Executive and the Legislature reached consensus on an economic and revenue forecast for the current year and the next, and on March 3, the Executive submitted final amendments to the proposed budget.