Gov. David Paterson talked tough over the weekend, saying he’ll go ahead with budget cuts with or without the approval of the state Legislature, with which he’s been feuding over New York’s budget mess.
New York faces a nearly $3.2 billion budget deficit this fiscal year and Paterson has been at loggerheads with the Senate and the Assembly over where to cut.
Paterson promised to save $1.6 billion, starting with $500 million in agency cuts — an 11 percent reduction at each agency, except education. The governor said he would “juggle” money at various agencies to pay upcoming bills.
“We have a problem coming up with cash to meet our obligations,” said Paterson. “I honestly think the Senate does not know we’ve run out of time; they’re more concerned with short-term politics.”
The governor did not say when the cuts would start, but warned they’d come “in the next few weeks.”
