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The state's fiscal crisis is so dire that Governor Paterson confirmed he "would almost certainly seek billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid, as well as midyear reductions in school aid," according to the NY Times. Paterson said, "There’ll be protests, and because of the drastic nature of the cuts, those who protest will have very valid points, for which I don’t have any answer, other than ‘What’s your idea?’ We’re not going to close a $12.5 billion deficit with 5 percent cuts to health and education.” Unions (and the Republicans) are likely to fight the cuts, but Paterson said he was ready to take drastic measures, "I don’t need a protest for it to bother me; I used to fight for some of these causes... I'll feel pain in my stomach but my conscience will be clear."
Gov. Paterson's Budget Cuts May Hit Medicaid, SChools
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Every day i am more impressed with Gov. Patterson. That is a very refreshing, honest statement (even though it portends some pretty bad news).
And when (or if) the state comes out the other side of this, they need to move aggressively to diversify the economy-it's pathetic that the city and state are so tied to the financial services industry. Other states have more balanced economies than New York and we should try to emulate them.
Wow, a gov with some balls.
Seriously. I think we can all appreciate someone who is actually practical for a change.
Paterson typically shows the type of pragmatism that you don't find in government (I think Mike Bloomberg shows it as well). The simple truth is that the state is nearing dire financial straits and cuts need to be made.
I like the fact that Paterson challenged people to come up with solutions. When Republicans in state house start their bitching and moaning, the pressure will be on them to come up with an alternative.
Anyway, get ready for a tax hike. This is why I thought the whole tax issue during the Presidential election was misguided. It's state and municipal tax increases that are really going to eat away income, not federal tax hikes.
Felix said what I was going to - Paterson's got balls. Most politicians would rather borrow against our future than suggest unpopular spending cuts.
Yeah, so cutting the education budget takes balls? How about cutting out all the crap that's in the budget before cutting school funding. I mean, it's just creating a vicious cycle that we'll never be able to end. Not only will teachers not have funds to buy supplies they need, the DOE will not be able to attract ANYONE to work for them. How about getting rid of some of the real government bloat and welfare entitlements before taking it away from the kids? I mean, we can BARELY (read:not at all) graduate kids with a decent education in this city as it is.
Saying that this takes balls is a cop out.
Yeah, so cutting the education budget takes balls? How about cutting out all the crap that's in the budget before cutting school funding. I mean, it's just creating a vicious cycle that we'll never be able to end. Not only will teachers not have funds to buy supplies they need, the DOE will not be able to attract ANYONE to work for them. How about getting rid of some of the real government bloat and welfare entitlements before taking it away from the kids? I mean, we can BARELY (read:not at all) graduate kids with a decent education in this city as it is.
Saying that this takes balls is a cop out.