Statement from Director of Communications Morgan Hook

ALBANY, NY (07/23/2010)(readMedia)-- "The State budget is 15 weeks late, we have yet to close our $9.2 billion current year deficit or reduce our out year gaps, and have no plan to address an additional billion dollar problem that may arise if the Federal government does not provide FMAP contingency funds. New Yorkers cannot afford to wait any longer for a final State budget. That is why Governor Paterson will call the Legislature into extraordinary session on Wednesday, July 28, at 6 p.m., to consider legislation required to complete the State budget, as well as other critical policy issues that were not addressed in the regular session of the State Legislature. If the budget plan is not resolved on Wednesday, the Governor will call special session for the following day.

"Governor Paterson repeatedly has said that he will do everything in his power to protect New York's fiscal health. As it stands today, the State has no budget and no plan to address a billion dollar loss in Federal support. Governor Paterson has proposed legislation that would address these issues and would provide certainty to the millions of New Yorkers and New York businesses that are currently operating on a day-to-day basis without answers from their elected officials. State government has a responsibility to the people and businesses of New York; finish the work that Governor Paterson started in January when he proposed his budget plan."

###

Additional news available at www.ny.gov/governor | High resolution images available at www.ny.gov/governor/mediaimages | password: paterson | New York State | Executive Chamber | press.office@chamber.state.ny.us | 212.681.4640 | 518.474.8418 | Follow us on Facebook and Twitter