Paterson: Deficit Grew $1.4 Billion Since March

Governor Paterson gave a rare televised address this afternoon, asking state lawmakers to head back to Albany for an emergency session to discuss the state deficit. Paterson said the deficit had gone up $1.4 billion in 90 days, from $5 billion to its current $6.4 billion.

Here's his text, via the Times-Union:

“The fact is, we confront harsh times. Let me be honest. This situation will get worse before it gets better.

“My message to the legislature: next year’s budget process starts now. New York residents are already making tough choices…New Yorkers are prioritizing spending each day…now your government is going to follow your lead. We are going to end legislators’ vacations and bring them back to Albany to reprioritize New York state’s finances.

“Now government will do what New Yorkers do when when their incomes have fallen. We will cut spending. But I can’t do it alone."

Paterson asked legislators to get back to work on August 19. New Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos suggested that the governor follow the senate's spending cap.

Prior to Paterson's address, Mayor Bloomberg said, "The state can not solve its problems on the backs on New York City taxpayers. New York City sends $12 billion more to Albany than we get back every year."

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By Jen Chung in News on July 29, 2008 6:02 PM

Comments [rss]

JMH

Since most of the rest of us don't get summer vacation, I'd say getting the legislature back to work earlier than normal is a good idea both symbolically and substantively.

glennQNYC

Somehow people will blame this on President Bush....

Nick S

MANY worst.

dr zippy

How much worst can it get?

abcohen

[5] brooklynbs

I'm just a big bloomberg fan ;)

but I never voted for this guy to sit in that seat... I'm glad he's attacking it but in the end we'll have a bigger MTA fair hike, worst streets and bridges, less trash collection, and way worst schools... :) sounds like a great New York...

tsol

Starting cutting those public employee pension plans NOW!

brooklynbs

It doesn't sound like abcohen knows what s/he is talking about.

Paterson has attacked the budget since his first day in office in March. He has cut spending and he tried to get the legislature to close the deficit further. It's the state representatives who are refuse to be fiscally responsible and he's telling them to come back from summer vacation and cut more fat. That's commendable.

Ethan

My kid and my money went to iRaq.

TKaisen

New York City sends $12 billion more to Albany than we get back every year."

Wow, with numbers like that it's almost like 2/3rds of the population lives in 1/10th of the land.

GaryK

i think he's a good governor because he is the first one that i can remember who taking the budget process seriously. when was the last time a ny state budget was passed on time? he is taking the measures he needs to to make sure that the budget will get worked out and they can start preparing for all the economic trouble that is sure to come. this can help prevent thousands of people from getting fired.