New York, NY —
Governor Paterson and New York state legislative leaders have been spending the weekend in budget talks, in an effort to avoid a government shutdown. State offices and agencies would close if lawmakers reject the latest emergency budget extender Monday. The bill includes $327 million in full-year cuts to mental health and social services. Democratic Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr. of the Bronx said Satruday that he still plans to vote no on the spending bill. Fellow Bronx Democrat Pedro Espada has also been wavering. That means Governor Paterson could need to find at least one Republican crossover vote to win approval for the extender, which is necessary to keep state government operating without a budget, which was due April 1st.