League of Women Voters of New York Education Foundation
New York State Government November 7, 2006 Election
	Alan G. Hevesi Answers Questions Candidate for Comptroller; State of New York

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of New York State and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. As state comptroller, your duties would include overseeing the fiscal affairs of the state. This year's $114.7 billion budget calls for the largest state spending increases in 30 years with spending growing faster than revenues. Is this fiscal responsibility on the part of the governor and legislators? Why or why not? Explain.

Authorizing spending that grows twice as fast as revenues is not fiscally responsible. The budget relies on a one-time surplus to fund ongoing spending and authorizes $16.5 billion in new debt. My comprehensive debt and fiscal reform agendas would dramatically improve the State's financial practices and long-term fiscal health.

2. Skyrocketing public employee pension expenses have inflated the budgets of every level of government in New York State. What reforms would you propose to ease the burden for taxpayers?

After years of uncharacteristically low contribution rates due to market performance, in 2003, the State and local governments were facing a substantial increase in required contributions. I achieved passage of legislation that saved the State approximately $620 million in SFY 2003-04 and local governments saved approximately $950 million. Since 2003, we have had 3 years of reductions in contributions.

3. What do you propose to end the excessive Medicaid fraud in New York State?

Our audits have identified $340 million in inappropriate Medicaid payments. We won a legal challenge to the Comptroller's authority to audit Medicaid billings. Audit activities are enhanced by an investigations team that helped end coverage of erectile dysfunction drugs for sex offenders and works with authorities to deter fraud.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League. 

• Original answers for a published Voters Guide were limited to 50 words and are presented as submitted. Candidates have since been invited to supply answers of any length for the Web.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 10, 2006 18:54
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