This week Governor George E. Pataki vetoed nearly $3 billion of spending plans proposed by the state legislature, for reasons that have thrown Republicans, Democrats and New York residents alike into a bewildering whirlwind of confusion.
Pataki claimed that his actions were meant to avoid irresponsible future deficits, but the onslaught of budget vetoes by the lame-duck Republican cannot be seen as anything but a desperate attempt to change his image of ultimate mediocrity.
The slashing of spending projects would give Pataki an image of fiscal conservatism and self-control, which is a necessary quality if he hopes to run for national office; but it is unacceptable for his future aspirations to conflict with his current job in New York State.
Along with major reductions in medical care funding and tax cuts, some of Pataki's 202 separate vetoes have hacked away at $500 million for SUNY and TAP funding, which is a frightening sight for financially struggling students in the state university system. To make matters worse, TAP may be stripped from any student carrying less than a 15-credit load if Pataki gets his way with the budget proposals.
In addition to financial aid reductions, the vetoes have siphoned $25 million from UB construction efforts. This setback, which would affect construction of the new engineering building, will require UB to raise the rest of the money on its own.
Pataki's future presidential aspirations are clouding the judgment needed for his current office, and his conservative-credential building -- at the cost of hard-working students and residents -- is unforgivable.
NFTA pilot program takes flight
Students who find themselves stuck on North Campus hungry, bored and without a car should take advantage of the new metro pass that will be offered next fall by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority.
Despite the occasional trip to a sports game or a city restaurant, the reality is North Campus students are cut off from the many social events of downtown Buffalo. Though this gap will never be fully bridged, the new metro passes will offer a vast array of new opportunities.
Whether students enjoy weekend shopping, yelling their heads off at the Sabres game or just off-campus social life in general, the new pass will open up safe and reliable transportation for an all-inclusive fee of $25 a semester. The one-time fee steeply contrasts the previous All Zone Metro program, which carried a price tag of $66 a month.
In addition to the advantage of cost-effectiveness, the NFTA is looking for student input.
This is an opportunity that should not be passed up, because student input will be a vital part of the pilot process. The NFTA is interested in catering to students' needs and will consider providing additional off-campus shuttle services based on student demand. The newly elected officers of the Student Association propose to charter new routes to accommodate Sweet Home Apartment residents, but this proposal should only be the beginning of a long list of student demands.
Although this improvement is far from extending the subway rails to campus, it is an important step in the right direction. We attend the University at Buffalo, not the University at Amherst, and it is about time that the downtown life is made more accessible to students.
Photo: Breadchastick / Wikimedia Commons
