The 2003-2004 New York State budget process has been arguably the most contentious in recent years. Longtime political allies came down on opposite sides of the fence, and the governor and the legislature were at odds on multiple issues. Local officials and citizens all over the state joined the fray with protests against state policies that force up local school and property taxes.

To help taxpayers better understand how the state budget process works, how it has changed over time, and how local communities can influence the decisions that are made, Tompkins County is sponsoring a public meeting featuring independent budget analysts from the Fiscal Policy Institute and SENSES, the Statewide Emergency Network for Social and Economic Security.

The meeting will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday May 28 at the Tompkins County Public Library. The event is free and open to all interested individuals and organizations. Citizens, elected officials, and representatives of organizations whose budgets include state aid are all encouraged to attend.

The program will include an update on how the state budget process has evolved and how it currently works, right up to the vetoes and overrides of this year. Ways to get more information about the budget than is available in the media will be presented, as well as advice on getting involved in the process.

The Fiscal Policy Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan "think tank," based near Albany, whose mission is research and public education. The group’s executive director, Frank Mauro, will lead the program. He will be joined by Ron Deutsch, executive director of SENSES, an advocacy group that focuses on issues affecting low-income residents. Deutsch will shed light on the impact of recent state budget changes on nonprofit organizations.

Pre-registration is not necessary.

For more information, call Wendy Skinner, Tompkins County Public Information, 274-5555 or visit the Fiscal Policy Institute website at www.fiscalpolicy.org.

Media contacts: Frank Mauro, Executive Director, Fiscal Policy Institute, 518-786-3156; Tim Joseph, Chair, Tompkins County Legislature, 277-2519.