State players are bracing for a new fight over health-care cuts early next year as Gov. Eliot Spitzer prepares plans to close a $4.3 billion budget gap.
Months ago the new governor pressured state Senate Democrats into backing his effort to slice $1.2 billion from Medicaid. Much but not all of the spending was restored. Spitzer is widely expected to push anew for hundreds of millions of dollars in cuts.
But the tone if not the substance of the debate may have dramatically shifted. For one thing, several members of the Senate’s Democratic minority, hoping to win the majority next November, told Newsday they are now less liable to let the governor call the shots. For another, the big health care union 1199/SEIU is believed to be increasing its political action budget by millions of dollars just in case, for an ad campaign potentially as bitter as one that erupted last time.
“From the union’s perspective people were acting petrified of the governor, as if they had no choice,” said one source familiar with the union’s operations. “Now as time passes it’s clear the governor does not walk on water.” Despite a change of leadership at the union its longtime alliance with Senate Republicans under Majority Leader Joseph Bruno appears undented so far.
Just to refresh your recollection, a sample of the broadcast sluf-fest from earlier this year. And some more specific Long Island impact, after the jump:
Dan Janison
One player who could be front-and-center in a new Medicaid scrum is Senate Health Committee Chairman Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City) whose potential Democratic challenger, Legis. David Mejias, has had funds raised on his behalf with Spitzer’s help.
Last February, 1199 backed Nassau Clerk Maureen O’Connell, the Republican, in the mutlimillion-dollar race against Craig Johnson (D-Port Washington), who won a vacant Senate seat. State and Nassau GOP Chairman Joseph Mondello said earlier this month, “there are several people we’re considering” to oppose Johnson next year and “several people who are interested.” But he said it is still too early to mention names.