I guess in his defense, the words spoken by Gov Paterson have been consistent. He acknowledged this was a cash grab, and is not apologizing for it.
I agree with you, Howard. The state should be looking for ways to eliminate cost, not raise taxes. While there has been some consolidation of services( village/town, city/town, BOCES), there are still far too many government entities in NYS, all with their hand out, wanting their share of the tax pie. People, it has to stop. We need to see what we can live without, and do it. The tax burden on us is crushing, and is becoming unbearable.

Guess his running for reelection helped us out this year. But, you now you have to wonder where he is looking to get more money next?

If you DO NOT Support the new license plates, sign a petition here and pass on to everyone you know: http://www.nonewplates.com/

Governor Paterson doesn't stand a chance come election day. Thank Goodness! Lets get this unelected buffoon out of office. He's unreasonable and has dictated a lot of policy since being put into office by default.

His general idea is to tax everything and reduce spending on almost nothing. NY isn't called the welfare state for nothing. Eliminate half of it and make it so painful to be on that only those who really need it will even think about applying for it.

I'm pretty sure everyone sees assistance abuse at some point and there seems to be not a lot anyone can do about it.

Good. I'm happy to see that the Governor is willing to listen to the opinions of the electorate. Of course now we have to wait for a gutless Legislature to come up with some ideas.

The Assembly and State Senate were challenged recently by the Governor to come up with some spending cuts to get NY back in the black and they were silent. Assemblyman Hawley went as far as writing a letter to the editor, but didn't bother to take his ideas to Albany in the form of Legislation.

I would like to challenge any member of the State Senate or the Assembly to step up and make some un-popular moves to help out the State.

I know your re-election campaigns are just about to get under way, but how about taking a week or two out of your busy pandering schedules and doing something useful...for once.

I don't know if this is a case of selective memory or poor news source, but Paterson first suggested major cuts months ago. His proposals were met with loud resistance from special interest groups, and the legislature back-peddled. After failing to gain support for cutting expenses THEN he proposed revenue grabs such as tax on bottled water, etc. The governor is in a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't position. The gap between revenue and expenses will not go away by itself.

Senators and Assemblymen are too chicken-sh*t to enter the foray. Both solutions p*ss people off. So they will idle until the state has to borrow to pay bills. And hacks like our own Hypocrit-Hawley throw stones sit on their arses doing nothing.

I forgot one more qualification he has: he can tell the difference between a pile of cowsh*t and a tam-o'shanter. One, you wear on your head; the other, you don't step in.

From the Democrat and Chronicle

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20091115/OPINION02/911150358...

"My message to the legislators is that cutting now will be less damaging than gutting later. My plan includes no new taxes, proposes hundreds of millions of dollars in cuts from state agencies and millions more from the very projects I have worked to advance during my entire career in public service."

Yeah, I remember, the Gov said it's painful for him too. I'm still waiting to find out what ANY politician in NY State is going to personally sacrifice. They want to cut everyone else up and say it's painful for them. It's kinda like your parents saying that spanking you will hurt them more than it does you. I didn't believe that when I was 5 and I still don't at 50.

There has to be other ways to make ends "meet" so to speak. In this economy, trying to take more from the struggling public is not the answer. Maybe cutting a few
"high paying" gov jobs is what should happen. Not many good ideas coming from there anyway, from the "highest" taxed state in the nation. Maybe it's time to listen to the ones who are lower on the "totem pole". Good luck with your campaign to get re-elected Mr. Governor. Take. Take. Take. The "little people" will determine your fate by voting against you.

Dave, they aren't going to sacrifice anything for you, or me...or anyone else. I struggle really hard to pay my bills now, and I'm one of the "little hard WORKING people".

If Patterson wanted to show good faith, he should not have given his own personal staff the big pay raises he did.

I hope he can get his own party to agree with him to make the cuts he recommended, but he should not have given his staff the big raises.

Paterson

Paterson,patterson....all smells the same

What's the difference, he can't see if you misspell it.

Emperor Magoo needs to step down now.

Peter, aside from the obvious, have you any handicaps we can make fun of?

My golf handicap is pretty horrible.