George Pataki on Government Reform

Republican NY Governor

Reforms must respect state's rights to select electors.

Pataki adopted the National Governors Association position paper:

The Issue

In the wake of the United States presidential election in Florida, the Congress and the administration has expressed interest in federal standards for elections. Recognizing that Articles I and II of the United States Constitution grants states, not Congress, the authority to determine the manner of selecting presidential electors and conducting elections generally, most legislative proposals do not mandate federal standards. Rather, current proposals direct federal agencies or commissions to study and make recommendations concerning the election system. Nonetheless, the possibility of legislation in the 107th Congress requiring states to implement federal election standards remains. If enacted without adequate funding by the federal government, such legislation could also result in an unfunded mandate to the states.

NGA’s Position

Articles I and II of the United States Constitution grant states the authority to determine the manner of selecting presidential electors and provide that states are responsible for establishing election procedures generally. However, in the wake of the 2000 presidential election, the nation’s Governors recognize the need for election reform. NGA will continue to monitor federal legislation addressing this issue, but has not taken a position in support of or opposition to election reform efforts. Source: National Governors Association "Issues / Positions" 01-NGA11 on Aug 1, 2001

Reduce federal government size & scope, including military.

Pataki adopted the Republican Main Street Partnership issue stance:

The federal government must reduce its size and scope, and cede certain federally operated policies and services to the states and private sector that are better equipped to handle them. One way to accomplish this would be to limit growth of government spending at or even below the inflation rate. Long-term economic growth is dependent upon sustained federal discipline. We believe this is the time to carefully assess both our domestic discretionary and our military commitments. In both areas, we face a potential fiscal imbalance between our program commitments and our available resources. Perhaps neither the Congress nor the American people fully appreciate the impact of budget decisions in these areas. We owe it to the nation and its future to undertake an honest dialogue regarding the implications of these decisions on the state, local and private sectors.

Source: Republican Main St. Partnership Issue Paper: Fiscal Policy 98-RMSP4 on Sep 9, 1998

More federal funding for FAA and air traffic control.

Pataki adopted a letter to Senate leaders from 6 Governors:

The nations’ Governors urge the Senate to quickly complete action on a multi-year reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Airport Improvement Program (AIP) that invests dedicated Airport and Airway revenues for their intended purposes each year. The Airport and Airway Trust Fund can support significantly higher funding for both the Airport Improvement Program and the Air Traffic Control Modernization program than is currently contained in the Senate reauthorization. We urge the Senate to increase funding levels for these programs by using the Airport and Airways Trust Fund receipts for their intended purpose.

Governors, along with our partners in the Coalition for TRUST - a broad coalition of business, labor, farm and state and local officials - recognize that insufficient investment in transportation jeopardizes economic growth. Furthermore, the Governors recognize the safety, security and other broad public benefits provided by the FAA and support a guarantee of continued general funding for FAA operations.

The Governors ask for your help in completing a conference with the House on this critical legislation prior to August 6 in order to avoid a lapse in funding.

Source: National Governor's Association letter to Congress 99-NGA25 on Jul 27, 1999

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