This letter was written to urge the State legislature to allow the seriously flawed Empire Zones program to sunset as of June 30, 2010, as established by law, and to enact the Excelsior program as proposed by the Governor.

The federal government has committed an enormous sum—$787 billion over 27 months—to aid the economy. This letter from CBC President Carol Kellermann to the Legislature warns that the federal aid to New York is limited and temporary and addresses the challenge of using the federal money available for next year’s budget wisely, suggests 10 “do’s and don’ts” for using the federal funds and closing the budget gap while avoiding harmful cuts and tax increases, and highlights possible allocation of the funds.