Gov. David Paterson is not too happy with Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos’ remarks on the governor’s proposal for $2 billion in budget cuts this fiscal year. Paterson unveiled his plan today on reducing state spending. The state has a $1.5 billion budget gap that is expected to grow.
Skelos, R-Nassau County, said lawmakers need to see what the governor proposes in his 2009-10 budget before it can act on anything else. Paterson has called lawmakers back to Albany Tuesday for a special budget-cutting session. Skelos is opposed to raising taxes or passing costs down to school districts and local governments.
Here is what Paterson spokesman Errol Cockfield said in response:
“It would be fiscally irresponsible to delay addressing the current-year $1.5 billion deficit by tying it into next year’s budget. The longer we wait to reduce spending, the more difficult and costly it will be to confront these serious budget gaps later.“Governor Paterson will begin tackling next year’s $12.5 billion deficit—the largest in our state’s history—when he proposes his budget five weeks early on Dec. 16. Right now, what the state needs is immediate action to close this year’s $1.5 billion gap so we can ensure the state’s long-term fiscal security. I am confident the Legislature will partner with us and rise to that challenge.”
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