Last week the Assembly Republicans held a press conference to demand action on a series of proposed reforms that would fix New York's dysfunctional budget process, assure on-time adoption of the state budget and open government to the public.

I find it very sad that considering the dire state of the economy, and now being at war with Iraq, New York does not have a budget in place. This is the 10th straight year the budget is late. We need to open up the budget process and end the secret backroom dealings that have determined the state's spending plan for nearly two decades. Taxpayers in this state deserve better!

At the press conference, Republican Leader Charles Nesbitt (R, C - Albion) said, "This year, more than ever, a balanced on-time budget was within our reach," noting the unusual early agreement between the legislature and the governor on available revenues. "All it needed was the determination to finish the job we all were hired to do. Instead, the deadline will pass without a budget and, once again, without any meaningful changes in the secretive and dysfunctional way that Albany does the people's business."

The seven-point Assembly Republican Budget Reform Plan requires a "faster start" to the legislative process, rock-solid deadlines and consequences for inaction. It also requires fiscal reforms designed to strengthen the state's credit worthiness, boost the state economy and avert mid-year cuts and tax hikes that threaten vital services and cost private-sector jobs.

The plan includes:

* Revenue forecasts by March 1;

* A binding forecast by March 10;

* Budget conference committees by March 15;

* A default budget;

* No no-budget bills after April 1 in the absence of a budget;

* Fiscal stability; and

* A plain-language summary of the budget before its adoption.

Time and again Assembly Republicans have recounted the consequences of late budgets, from uncertainty for local governments and school districts, to increased costs for contractors, service providers and non-profit agencies that provide vital services to the public. For the past five years, Senate Republicans have passed budget reform. Yet the Democratic members of the Assembly have chosen not to address any meaningful reforms and have flatly rejected our proposals. Why?

Last year Assembly Republicans held a petition drive throughout New York State and collected over 20,000 signatures in support of on-time budget reform. New Yorkers have spoken and they deserve an on-time budget. So why is this year's budget late?