Paterson: NY State is in Economic Crisis

Governor David Paterson, who recovered from his bad headache (he was apparently struck by nausea!), and was able to speak to reporters in D.C. yesterday. The Daily Politics reports that when asked if President-elect Obama's Inauguration festivities were too much, given the economic crisis, Paterson riffed slightly off-tabgent, "I don't understand why Americans...still don't seem to react as if we're in a crisis. People still walk up to me and say, 'You know, I know we're having a lot of problems, but you can't cut anything to education, you can't cut health care, you can't ask for salaries for the state workforce to be reduced. It's almost as if people don't really believe this is as serious as it really is." In other words: New Yorkers, shut up and put up! Related: Media Matters questions whether the $160 million figure for Obama's Inauguration is accurate.

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By Jen Chung in News on January 20, 2009 9:09 AM

Comments [rss]

Express

Actually, Rodney, the State has no choice but to reduce spending on such things as services and employees. Unlike the Fed, the state can not run a budget deficit, nor can it print money. Fiscal stimulus policy does not apply to the State.

bluerain

http://seethroughny.net/

Here are the NY State and City books, online for you government types.

Go ahead, analyze them!

NannyState

We're the ones "struck by nausea".

abzme

Just explain it to us. Take over the local news spot and talk to us like we're fifth graders.

Steven

Time to completely open the books.

bsalamon

Not to sound rude, but how many people have the time, and ability to go through the books and analyze them properly. Honestly though, I would love to open the books, if we could do it, and force out all those people that use NY State as a personal piggy bank.

It'll never happen though.

ANGRYGOD11

I liked how Patterson hasn't minimized the trouble NYS is in. But, then Albany spends a little more than last year. It's time to stop talking the talk and start walking the walk.

JenChungKantspel

Seriously, dU yOu proofreed? Aren't yU embbarrased?

rodney

Hey Paterson, what people are trying to tell you is that in times of economic crisis the absolute worst thing for the State to do is cut back government services and fire government workers. Doing this just reinforces the downward spiral. Please ask any economist about this basic principle.

TKaisen

Source please.

rodney

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/07/business/economy/07spend.html

ides_of_march

Where does all the state lottery money go? The money I see spent on scratch cards alone at the deli next door should be enough to fund a dozen public schools.