1. 1. The Task Force shall:
2. a. Through the Chairman, report to the Governor no later than September 2, 1996 on how the programs currently under the purview of the Department of Social Services should be realigned.
3. b. Advise the Governor on how to efficiently administer programs dealing with employment and cash assistance.
4. c. Advise the Governor on how to efficiently administer the Medicaid program.
5. d. Advise the Governor on how to efficiently administer programs which provide necessary supportive social services to children and families.
6. e. Advise the Governor on the realignment of functions other than cash assistance, employment and Medicaid that are currently performed by the Department of Social Services.
7. f. Advise the Governor on how to most efficiently coordinate the realignment of health and human services programs with federal and local governments.
8. g. Advise the Governor regarding Constitutional, statutory, or regulatory amendments needed to effectuate these changes.
9. 2. The members of the Task Force shall receive no compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for any necessary expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their duties. Membership in the Task Force shall not constitute public employment for the purposes of disqualification from holding of public office or employment.

10. 3. Every State department, agency, division, board, bureau, commission and other entity over which I have executive power shall provide appropriate assistance and cooperate as necessary to enable the Task Force to fulfill its purposes.

    Signed: George E. Pataki Dated: May 22, 1996

WHEREAS, the State of New York's governmental structure related to the delivery of health and human services is often inefficient and unresponsive to the taxpayers of the State;

WHEREAS, the State of New York's duplicative and partially overlapping administrative structure wastes scarce taxpayer dollars and hinders the State's ability to respond to current marketplace conditions;

WHEREAS, the State's ability to restructure the current welfare and health system has been hindered by inaction at the federal level;

WHEREAS, rather than being a transitional means of support, welfare has become a way of life for too many New Yorkers;

WHEREAS, the mission of the Department of Labor is to assist citizens in accessing the labor market and promote employment opportunities in the business community; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the Department of Health is to promote and supervise public health activities and to ensure sound and cost-effective medical care;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE E. PATAKI, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of New York, do hereby create the Task Force to Restructure Employment, Health and Social Services (the Task Force). The Task Force shall consist of the Director of State Operations, who shall serve as its Chairman, and thirteen members representing state agencies, county government, service providers, public employee unions and the business community.