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Paterson's proposed state budget cuts
March 26, 2008


Schenectady Mayor Brian Stratton, left, escorts Gov. David Paterson into City Hall on Wednesday morning.Photographer: Ana Zangroniz

Schenectady Mayor Brian Stratton, left, escorts Gov. David Paterson into City Hall on Wednesday morning.
SCHENECTADY — Gov. David Paterson met with Mayor Brian Stratton Wednesday at City Hall, and got the mayor's support for cuts to the executive budget that the governor proposed last week.
Paterson advocated cutting $800 million in spending from former Gov. Eliot Spitzer's proposed budget, including a 2 percent cut in the Aid and Incentives to Municipalities program. Stratton said that would mean the city would get $220,000 less in AIM money than it had been anticipating.
It would still get about $11.5 million from AIM, though, the mayor said, about 7 percent more than last year's total, but not the 9 percent increase Spitzer had proposed.
Stratton said he supports the new governor's position because of the need for the state to economize as a result of the looming budget deficit and recession.
The governor said he is continuing to press for inclusion of a $1 billion upstate revitalization plan in the budget. He said that could help bring about projects endorsed by Stratton such as redevelopment of the former American Locomotive Co. site, construction of a new science museum and restoration of historic buildings.
Stratton said a new railroad station development is another priority project for which the city is seeking state funding.

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SCHENECTADY
Mayor backs budget cuts
Paterson, Stratton meet to discuss state proposal
BY BOB CONNER Gazette Reporter

    Gov. David Paterson met with Mayor Brian Stratton on Wednesday at City Hall and got the mayor’s support for cuts to the executive budget.
    Paterson last week advocated cutting $800 million in spending from former Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s proposed budget, including a 2 percent cut in the Aid and Incentives to Municipalities program. Stratton said that would mean the city would get $220,000 less in AIM money than it had been anticipating. It would still get about $11.5 million from AIM, the mayor said, about 7 percent more than last year’s total, but not the 9 percent increase that Spitzer had proposed.
    Stratton said he supports the new governor’s position because of the need for the state to economize as a result of the looming national recession and the $4.6 billion state budget deficit.
    The governor said he is continuing to press for inclusion of a $1 billion upstate revitalization plan in the budget. He said that could help bring about projects endorsed by Stratton such as redevelopment of the former American Locomotive Co. site between the Mohawk River and Erie Boulevard, construction of a new science museum and restoration of historic buildings. Stratton said a new railroad station development is another priority project for which the city is seeking state funding.
    When Paterson announced the $800 million spending cut at a leaders’ meeting March 18, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, R-Brunswick, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, were supportive. However, spokesmen for the legislative leaders said Wednesday that does not translate into specific support for Paterson’s cuts.
    Scott Reif, a spokesman for Bruno, said the Senate budget reduces spending in certain areas by 3 percent, as opposed to the 2 percent Paterson is proposing. But the Senate budget does not reduce AIM funding, and Reif said Bruno has not agreed to that.
    Senate cuts in other areas are drawing criticism from liberal groups. One of them, Housing Works, plans demonstrations at the Capitol today, and put out a flier asking: “Why are Senate Republicans robbing poor, disabled children whose parents have AIDS?”
    Silver spokeswoman Sisa Moyo said the speaker will consider the $800 million in cuts that Paterson is proposing, but he has not agreed to them at this point.
    Executive and legislative branch staffers were continuing budget negotiations behind closed doors.
    Ron Deutsch, president of New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness, said his organization opposes the budget cuts to AIM and other programs. Rather, it has endorsed the Assembly majority’s plan to raise $1.5 billion by increasing the income tax rate on those making $1 million and more per year, from 6.85 percent to 7.7 percent.
    The Senate opposes the Assembly’s tax-the-rich plan, and Paterson has been cool to it, although he indicated last week he was open to negotiations. “The governor has made it clear that he is against a tax increase,” Paterson spokesman Morgan Hook said Wednesday. He declined further comment.
    In Schenectady, Stratton said the cut in projected AIM funding “will be felt hard,” but he also expressed confidence that the city can make budget adjustments to minimize the pain.
    Paterson cited Stratton’s tenure as mayor as a model for state government. He credited the mayor with downtown revitalization and stabilizing the city’s economy, which he said is “better than it’s been in years.” Paterson also noted Stratton used to work on his staff when he was Senate minority leader. Both men are Democrats.
    Stratton said he hopes Schenectady will receive several million dollars from the Upstate Revitalization Fund. Regarding possible projects it could be used for, he said the multimodal train station would look somewhat like a smaller version of Schenectady’s past, demolished station, at the same site as the existing Amtrak station. The project would include retail and office space, the mayor said. He said Rep. Michael McNulty, D-Green Island, secured $5 million in federal funding for the project, and he is hoping the state will provide $3 million.
    As for the science and technology museum, Stratton said, it would be an expanded Schenectady Museum, which would move from Nott Terrace to a new site — possibly on Broadway near the Lottery headquarters.
    Paterson met privately with the mayor, and their discussion included a police discipline bill which has passed the Senate and is opposed by Stratton. Paterson, as is often the case with governors, declined to state publicly his position on the bill.
    Paterson also had a brief private meeting with members of the City Council, before he and Stratton held a news conference.
    Later Wednesday, Paterson went to New York City to make an economic development announcement and meet with that city’s mayor, and is scheduled to do the same in Buffalo today. He did not make an economic development announcement in Schenectady.

Stratton never backed a budget cut or a decrease in taxes in his life.

What could he say???? Go ahead try and get blood from a stone????  He's looking for a position to suit him later......after he fixes the police dept.....

I agree! Stratton is just 'playing nice' with the new gov to hopefully secure a job in the future! And what the heck does Stratton care? All he will do is raise some kind of tax to make up the money he couldn't get from the gov.