Diana Fortuna

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Diana Fortuna (born 1957) is the president of the Citizens Budget Commission.

Fortuna graduated from Harvard University and then received an M.B.A. from Columbia University Graduate School of Business. She is the daughter of Walter and Marilyn Fortuna.

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[edit] Career

In the early 1980s, Fortuna began her career at New York City's Office of Management and Budget, where she eventually became Deputy Budget Director under Mayor Ed Koch. Beginning in 1990, she served in the New York State Office of Federal Affairs in Washington, D.C., where she analyzed federal policy issues. In 1993, she became a policy aide to the Administrator of the U.S. Health Care Financing Administration, and in 1995, she joined the White House Domestic Policy Council, becoming Associate Director and working on welfare, health, disability and national service issues.[1]

In 1998, Fortuna became the president of the Citizens Budget Commission, a non-profit watchdog group that monitors the finances and operations of New York City and New York State government.[1] Fortuna has said that she supports Governor Elliot Spitzer's 2007-08 budget and opposes the State Senate's budget proposal. Generally, she advocates conrolling New York State spending more and reducing New York State's public debt load.[2] She also supports Mayor Mike Bloomberg's plan to implement congestion pricing in New York City.[3]

In 2005 New York Common Cause honored her with the Making Peoples' Voices Heard Award for her work in helping to advance the movement for reform of New York State government.[4]

[edit] Personal life

Fortuna is married to New York City Council member David Yassky. They live in Brooklyn Heights with their daughters Susan and Margaret.[5] Fortuna has performed in amateur Gilbert and Sullivan productions, taking roles at Harvard and Columbia (the Barnard G&S Society) and later with the Victorian Lyric Opera Company and other groups.[6]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b NY Times article on Fortuna's joining the CBC
  2. ^ NY Post article by Fortuna about New York State's public debt
  3. ^ Fortuna's letter to legislators, dated July 10, 2007
  4. ^ "Common Cause/NY Website"
  5. ^ "NYC Campaign Finance Board, 2003 General Election Voter Guide"
  6. ^ Article quoting Fortuna, noting her singing hobby and discussing her parenting strategy

[edit] External links