Special Session Produces $2.7 Billion Deficit Reduction, Ignition Interlocks

After several weeks of on again, off again activity the State Legislature approved a $2.7 billion deficit reduction plan that will close most of this year’s projected budget deficit. Governor Paterson is expected to close the rest of the deficit by withholding $400 - $500 million in payments to local governments and school districts. This controversial move will most likely be challenged in court – further confusing the budget outlook.

The extended special session made it possible for a public campaign to enact Leandra’s Law – in memory of a young girl who was killed in one of several high profile drunk driving crashes. Leandra’s Law proposed to make it a felony to drive drunk with a child less than 15 years old. Leandra’s father worked tirelessly for weeks to have this law passed – and when the proposal made its way onto one of the special session agendas it included a provision requiring anyone convicted of drunk driving to install an ignition interlock device. Within hours the bill passed the Assembly and Senate and was signed into law by the Governor.

The ignition interlock provision of this law could cause a reaction amongst the public that leads to a reduction in on-premise consumption. History demonstrates that new DWI laws change the general public’s behavior in the short-term, mostly in response to the publicity of the new law, but that the public returns to its previous behavior once the new law is no longer in the headlines. This will be even more likely if few convicted drunk drivers install ignition interlocks – in most states less than 10% of those sentenced to install interlocks comply – and the public discovers that there is no teeth in this new law.

The deliberations over a budget deficit reduction plan were the prelude to the 2010 – 11 budget battle. Governor Paterson will release his Executive Budget proposal in late January and the fight will be on. Given the state’s continuing deficit we will be on alert for any proposals that aim to take more money out of your pocket. Of course, difficult times are an opportunity to make real change so perhaps we will find opportunities to help support your success.