3 months ago
New York lawmakers are now home without an agreement on how to address the state's fiscal crisis.
The Legislature was in session all week, at a cost of about $70,000 a day, but couldn't agree on how to close this fiscal year's $3.2 billion deficit. The Assembly, Senate and Gov. David Paterson have been talking about steps that would likely include cuts in spending on schools and health care, both protected by powerful special interests. One lawmaker tells us it was very chaotic in Albany. He said meetings were scheduled, then cancelled and people were coming and going as they please.
But since the governor called assembly members and state senators back to the state capital ten days ago, not one piece of legislation pertaining to the billions needed to be cut from the budget has been brought forward.
2 On Your Side's Josh Boose spoke with some legislators disgusted by the in-action.
"What can you do though to make sure the next time you're called to Albany something does get done," Boose asked State Senator Mike Ranzenhofer.
"What I've been doing and what we did before we left, which doesn't always get picked up, we held a press conference and through public scrutiny actually embarrass people to show up and get this thing done," said Ranzenhofer (R-61st District).
"What do you say to the people that are frustrated that nothing got done this week," Boose asked Assemblyman Sam Hoyt.
"I share your frustration," replied Hoyt (D-144th District). "I'm angry as hell that I'm travelling back and forth to Albany when this should have been done quickly when we first went back ten days ago."
Legislative leaders plan to continue negotiating in private with Paterson. The goal is to return to Albany Monday and pass a deficit reduction plan. They could convene earlier if a deal is struck.
AP
