New Yorkers Worry State Will Run Out of Money Soon

 ALBANY _ Sixty-nine percent of New Yorkers are worried the state will run out of money next month if an agreement is not reached between lawmakers and Gov. David Paterson to close a $3.2 billion mid-year budget deficit, a poll today found.

Eighty-eight percent believe the budget shortfall is a major problem, according to the Marist College poll.    "Voters are paying attention to the budget problems in Albany and they're not happy with what they're seeing," said Marist College pollster Lee Miringoff.

Paterson today called the third consecutive day of special sessions of the Legislature in hopes of getting a deal to close the budget gap.

But legislative leaders and Paterson have yet to reach an agreement as Senate Democrats continue to oppose the Democratic governor's plan to cut education spending.

Lawmakers, however, were taking up other pieces of legislation today.

The Legislature and Paterson appeared set to adopt stronger reforms to the state's public authorities, which have been plagued by mismanagement and scandal.

The bill would include the creation of an independent Authorities Budget Office and provide whistleblower protections to workers.

"The Legislature has been leading this fight for the most massive reform of Albany's institutions in decades. We are very close and expect to have something to say very quickly," said Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, D-Greenburgh, Westchester County, who has sponsored the legislation.

The Senate this afternoon gave final passage to a bill that would toughen drunken-driving laws in New York. The Assembly passed the measure late Tuesday night.

The law, expected to be signed by Paterson, would make it a felony for driving while impaired with a child passenger. It would also require people convicted of drunken driving to have an ignition-interlock system installed as a condition of their sentence. The system prevents intoxicated drivers from starting a vehicle.

Despite the movement on legislation, a budget deal remained elusive.

The Marist poll found most New Yorkers blame the Legislature for Albany's gridlock on the budget. Seventy percent blame lawmakers, while 21% blame Paterson.

Nonetheless, 64% of voters disapprove of how Paterson is dealing with the budget, compared to 28% who support his management.