Paterson Defends His Planned Budget Cuts
New York, NY —
With New York's coffers approaching empty, Gov. David Paterson says he is not prepared to announce his cuts to close the state's multi-billion dollar budget deficit today -- but he's planning to defend the move in court when he does.
Speaking on The Brian Lehrer Show this morning, Paterson says he will release his budget actions after he reaches an agreement with the state comptroller on the exact size of the state's deficit.
"If it's more than $3.2 billion, which he believes, than I will accept that number from him. Then I will make the appropriate withholdings of payments that would equal the cuts and then list those cuts in next year's budget process," Paterson says.
Some lawmakers have threatened to sue the governor for making budget changes without legislative approval. But Paterson says he believes the state's constitution gives him the authority to make cuts to prevent the state from becoming insolvent.
"It would be an interesting legal fight but, I think I'll win that fight, Paterson says. "I'm sure everyone will say that I will lose that fight, but that's what they said about the argument over appointing a lieutenant governor."
Click here for Brian Lehrer's complete interview with the governor.
