What Part Of June 28th Don’t You Understand?

Doing large budget cuts through budget extenders is a lousy way to run a large government; and likely illegal.

Senator John Sampson appears to be a terribly ineffective leader of his conference.

It’s likely Paterson will close the entire budget next week with a large extender, including major education aid cuts.

But this process doesn’t allow meaningful debate.
The old three men in a room seems like the golden age in Albany.

For what it is worth,Time has a good cover story this week on the 50 state budget crisis.
Indiana. Governor Mitch Daniels, the conservative budget cutter, has ordered the paper clips that came with the state’s income tax form taxpayers to be saved and reused by state agencies.
Has Paterson did that?
Was that part of the LG’s plan that Paterson rejects,and or ignors?

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1997284,00.html

Somebody’s got to be the adult here.

Legal, schmeigal. We have a crisis here.

yes,IM, it is a crisis!!
I understand the LG met with Paterson yesterday, but is not visible at the leaders’ meetings.
The LG recommended borrowing $5 billion over 5 years-$2 billion for next FY.
But his plan had other elements, including changing the accounting system.
The borrowing would be supported by Silver’s caucus, and perhaps,not sure, by the Senate Dems.
So why does Paterson throw it away?
Wouldn’t the LG plan have ended this crisis weeks ago?

So Davey says he doesn’t know “what they take seriously and what they don’t.”
Actually Governor it’s not about what is serious or not- no one really knows when to believe you. Your record over the past several months is pretty poor regarding telling the truth and staying with it.
Lost two top notch press aides and trashed their good reputations by not telling even them the truth and hanging them out to dry……

You have a point, Dr. Cannon, but borrowing remains controversial and has an uncertain chance of flying with the Senate Majority.

GE, I have a great deal of respect for you and your views, but I have to disagree here. Counting the budget differently (GAAP vs. cash) is not a real or complete answer. It may help stop some of the craziness for now, but it by no means solves the problem and additional borrowing is absolutely not an answer (although I really think it will be part of the final product no matter what our asteemed governor may say).

The LG plan may have passed a budget weeks ago, but it would have merely passed off the problem – again.