Paterson to Make Public Budget Cutting Plan

By Karen DeWitt

Albany, New York – Talks on how to resolve the latest state budget crisis are set to begin Wednesday, with a closed door meeting between Governor Paterson's budget officials and legislative aides aimed at filling the $3 billion dollar deficit.

The private meeting will be attended by top officials from the governor's office as well as key legislative staff.

Governor David Paterson, speaking in Syracuse, said the plans won't stay secret for long.

"I have a plan," said Paterson. "I will probably release the plan within the next couple of days."

Paterson's budget director had asked the legislature to come up with budget cutting ideas first, but Senator Liz Krueger, Co-Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, says that was not going to happen.

"We're not going to be the first ones to put a proposal on the table," Krueger said. "The constitution says that's the role for the governor."

While not offering specifics on how to handle the deficit, Senator Krueger did offer what she considers should be a guiding principle for the governor and lawmakers, to cause the "least pain".

"It's like the oath you take when you're a doctor," said Krueger. " First, do as little damage as possible. That would be my goal."

While Senator Krueger was at the Capitol, convening a roundtable discussion on the problem of tax-exempt property in the state, the top two Senate leaders, Senate President Malcolm Smith and Senate Conference Leader John Sampson, are in China, on a ten day sightseeing tour that includes meetings with local Chinese officials.

Krueger says their absence won't be a problem, and with modern instant communication, the Senate leaders can be kept up to date by their staffs.

Governor Paterson says he hopes to hold a special session to deal with the budget soon, he says time is running out, and there will be consequences if the legislature doesn't act, like a downgraded credit rating or missed payments to local governments or schools.

State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has indicated that he wants to hold hearings first on the governor's plan. Paterson says he thinks that's an "excellent" idea, as long as the process moves along quickly.