Silver v. Pataki

OPINION OF THE COURT

Edward H. Lehner, J.

The controversy before me involves a dispute between the Legislature and the executive with respect to the power to determine how public monies should be spent. The specific legal issues presented are whether under the Constitution of the State of New York (i) the Governor can line-item veto legislative directions, segregations and limitations affecting the use of monies appropriated when set forth in “non-appropriation” bills, and (ii) the Legislature can constitutionally alter the directions affecting the spending of monies appropriated by provisions…