Week Three of Special Sessions Ends With No Action on Budget

By Karen DeWitt

Albany, New York – Governor David Paterson gave the state legislature an ultimatum- either vote on his deficit closing plan, or give him the authorization to fill the gap himself. His proposals were rejected in the State Senate and Assembly.

Governor Paterson, in a message billed as a special address to New Yorkers, and sent out over the Internet, said he'd submit two bills to the legislature to try to end the nearly month- long stalemate over how to close the state's $3.2 billion dollar budget gap. The governor sent legislation that would enact his plan to cut the deficit, which includes mid year cuts to schools and health care reductions. The second bill would give Paterson the authority to act unilaterally and devise his own plan to close the deficit.

"Cut this deficit with me, or I'll do it myself," Paterson said.

The governor said it's well past the time that the hard choices must be made, and he likened the state's fiscal situation to a family strapped for cash at the holidays.

"Sometimes it comes down to the choice of toys for Christmas or money for rent," the governor said. "Responsible parents pay the rent."

The reception from state lawmakers ranged from bemused to downright hostile. Some questioned
whether giving the governor unlimited authorization to cut the budget was unconstitutional, and said it could set a dangerous precedent.

Senator Kevin Parker, a Brooklyn Democrat, says the governor's budget bill is at least a step forward in the stalled talks, but says he would not vote to hand over budget making powers to Paterson, saying he does not want to "get rid of our democracy".

Senate Leaders, both Democrats and Republicans, rejected both of the governor's bills, and pledged to work together to try to come up with their own solution to the budget crisis that does not contain education cuts.

The speaker of the Assembly, Sheldon Silver, left without commenting on the governor's proposal, but one day earlier, at a leader's meeting, Silver said it was possible that the Assembly could hold an up or down vote on the governor's deficit closing package.
But the Speaker says without agreement from the Senate, the vote would be no more than a "political statement".

Heath care groups blasted the governor's proposal, which contains nearly $300 million dollars in health spending reductions, and urged the legislature not to accept it. Business interests were the most receptive to the governor's bills. The New York City Partnership's Kathryn Wylde called Paterson's actions a "demonstration of political courage".

Both houses are expected back on Monday, when they say they will attempt, in week four of special sessions, to try to finally resolve the budget crisis.