Paterson Blames Failed (Preliminary) Budget Talks on Skelos

Yesterday, Governor Paterson had a "secret" meeting with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos to discuss the state's severe budget crisis. And apparently it didn't go very well: The NY Times reports that they "failed to reach a resolution...throwing into doubt the chances that an agreement could be reached" before Tuesday's emergency legislative session. Paterson, whose proposed budget cuts would hit Medicaid and schools the hardest, blamed Skelos, stating, "It was clear from the meeting that Majority Leader Skelos has not changed his position," but the Senate GOP said, "We are being called to Albany by the governor to act on specific bills, which he has yet to send us." And even some Democrats may be uneasy, since the plan hits hospitals and schools.