State Senate Invites Public to Share Ideas For Budget

Website, Twitter, toll-free number to be established

Wednesday, Feb 11, 2009 | Updated 3:45 PM EDT

State Senate Invites Public to Share Ideas For Budget

The historically secretive New York state budget process is getting a bit more public.

Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith is setting up a Web site, e-mail address, a phone texting number, a toll-free number and, soon, a Twitter site for New Yorkers to share ideas on how the Legislature and governor will spend $120 billion a year in public money.

The Queens Democrat is setting up the following routes for public comment: A special Web site (http://www.nybudgetideas.org); an e-mail address (nybudgetideas@senate.state.ny.us); text messaging by typing NYSS to the number 41411 for budget updates sent to your phone; and a toll-free number at 800-706-9995.

Smith says the historic fiscal crisis requires innovative ideas.