In his Aug. 26 commentary, "Fiscal crisis for Albany's mayor," Richard Brodsky listed some of Albany's fiscal challenges. Mr. Brodsky also asserted there had been no discussion of Albany's fiscal problems by the mayoral candidates.
Not only have I discussed the city's very serious financial situation during this campaign, I discussed it four years ago when I ran for mayor. In a press release issued Oct. 15, 2009, I warned: "[If] we don't address the looming financial crisis facing the city of Albany this year [2009], it puts the city at risk of greater financial trouble in the coming years."
I explained: "If we don't address the structural deficit that is in the budget now, things will only get worse." And they have gotten worse. Much worse.
I warned against just waiting for more state aid. I stated, "The projected state budget deficit is $5 billion next year [2010] and approximately $13 billion the year after that." Meanwhile, the budget wasn't cut, and we continued to depend on state aid. The governor has his own set of fiscal problems so Albany can no longer depend on the state to bail it out.
As mayor, I will take a 5 percent pay cut and will require all department heads to do the same. I will also require all department heads to find 5 percent in departmental budget savings without cutting jobs. We'll continue from there as necessary.
It will be hard work, but I'm used to hard work and adversity. I am confident that, together, we can succeed in making Albany a better city.
Corey Ellis
Democratic candidate for Albany mayor