With a $9.2 billion state deficit on his hands, Gov Paterson says he's "not optimistic at all" about getting a budget out by April 1st. The governor said recently that in order to avoid raising taxes (a proposed tax on sugary beverages like soda doesn't seem like it will succeed) he'll most likely make massive cuts to the school system, health care and government agencies. But some lawmakers say the delay should be attributed not to the tough economy or a ten day break for Passover and Easter, but to Paterson's infamous "laziness."
"He's like a spectator," one Assembly Democrat told the News. Depending on when budget proposals are handed in by the legislature, Paterson said a final budget could be done "within the month." Still, the governor's many detractors say that's highly unlikely, and claim a tardy budget will hurt the state, reports the AP. "Every week that goes by is another week where investors lose patience with New York, where we lose our ability to retain and attract jobs and where we head closer to fiscal calamity," said the Republican contender for Paterson's job, Rick Lazio.
