Paterson, Legislature to Start Working on Budget Tomorrow

Governor Paterson's warnings about the dire state of NY's budget (the deficit grew $1.4 billion since March) means the Legislature is coming back to Albany for an emergency session (during this time, lawmakers are usually in their district offices). The AP says with Paterson's desire for deep cuts and opposition from both unions and Assembly Democrats, the pols--Democrats and Republicans alike--could be making "some of the hardest decisions of their political lives, together. Or, nothing may happen" given Albany's long tradition of doing nothing. The NY Times has an editorial, supporting Paterson's point-of-view, "It’s a revolutionary idea in Albany, but maybe the state’s lawmakers could impress voters by saving taxpayer money, not just spending it."