Despite having been brushed aside as a “spectator” by an Assembly Democrat, Gov. Paterson claims he’s “been very active” in wrestling out a budget to fix the state’s $9 billion deficit. In fact, it’s those other guys who are lazy. “I've called for budget meetings, which they don't seem to want to do," Paterson said after an appearance at the Hillcrest Jewish Center in Flushing, reports the Post, adding that, "We've done everything we're supposed to do."

The budget resolution passed by Senate Democrats last week was full of slashes to government agencies including health care and education, and will be especially tough on city agencies like the MTA. Paterson claimed the cuts were necessary to avoid raising taxes, though a final budget—which is supposed to be delivered by April 1—will be delayed, he said.