2 years ago
Governor Paterson has called the state legislature back to Albany for a special session next month.
Paterson is calling on lawmakers to cut two billion dollars from the current budget. The governor says the cuts are needed to make up for massive shortfalls in revenues from Wall Street.
On Monday, 2 On Your Side's Scott Brown asked the governor what the state's financial problems will mean for taxpayers and residents.
Scott Brown: "Governor, will you rule out raising taxes -- either business or personal income taxes -- next year?"
Governor Paterson: "We have ruled that out, myself and all of the leaders of the legislature, for the period this year and the budget process next year. What we want to do is cut our out of control spending."
Brown: "The state budget is about $120 billion, cutting two billion dollars is less than two percent, should it be that hard to cut two percent in waste and inefficiency in the state budget?"
Paterson: "That's a statistical anomaly. Seventy percent of the state budget actually goes to the local governments, so in a $120 billion budget that covers about $84 billion. So we're really cutting from the other $36 billion, and that's why you get into these other areas that are very vital."
Brown: "Can you see cuts to education?"
Paterson: "What I'd like to see if we have to cut education are the more perimeter areas of administrative costs and perhaps other ancillary costs that do not involve the reading, writing and math process for children."
Brown: "How about the money for the Buffalo waterfront and the $700 million Upstate Development Fund?"
Paterson: "Well not at this point, a lot of the money has gone out and we are very happy to participate in the revitalization of the whole Erie County area."
