By Michael Gormley, Associated Press Writer
New York Gov. David Paterson on Sunday called for a special session of the Legislature to deal with the latest budget deficit and other issues that are expected to include a bill to legalize same-sex marriage.
Paterson wants what is technically called an extraordinary session on Nov. 10 that would address the deficit and take on unfinished business. The regular session ended in June.
New York Gov. David Paterson speaks at a news conference at the Capitol in Albany, N.Y., Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009. Paterson is proposing a $5 billion plan to reduce New York's deepening deficits with across-the-board cuts and measures to boost revenue over two years. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
The special session is expected to include a possible vote by the Senate to give final legislative approval to a same-sex marriage bill. Paterson has predicted the bill will be passed and signed into law in coming weeks.
Paterson also is asking legislative leaders to call a rare joint session of the Legislature on Nov. 9, where he plans to address the Senate and Assembly on the need to act on the deficit and reduce spending.
The governor also has scheduled a public meeting with legislative leaders Thursday in New York City.
“In this fiscal crisis, we cannot afford to delay action or continue spending at our current rate,” Paterson said in a statement issued Sunday night. “My colleagues and I have met to discuss how we can lessen the impact that these reductions will have on all New Yorkers — but the surest way to mitigate the pain is to act now.”
Although Paterson can compel the Legislature into session, he can’t require lawmakers to act on any bills.
Sunday’s call for special sessions followed Paterson’s previous plan for a special session in September. But then, Democrats controlling the Senate and Assembly balked at coming up with their own ideas to address the $3 billion deficit in the budget they adopted in April. The governor never called that session because there was no agreement on what cuts to make.
This month, Paterson proposed a $5 billion plan to erase the coming two years of deficits and cut 10 percent in spending in most areas, including health care, while calling for a 4.5 percent increase in school aid.
The Assembly and Senate are holding hearings on Paterson’s plan, which they would have to approve if current state spending is to be cut.
The Senate’s Democratic majority “will return when there is an agreement,” said Austin Shafran, spokesman for the majority. He said the Senate will continue its public hearings and negotiations with the governor and Assembly.
The Assembly’s Democratic majority declined comment, but leaders have previously promised to work with the governor to address the deficit.
The Legislature and Paterson approved a $131.8 billion budget in April with near record spending, most of which was from temporary federal stimulus funding. Without it, the budget increased state spending less than 1 percent, but set spending at high levels that will be difficult sustain once federal stimulus funding ends in a year.
On the Net: http://www.state.ny.us
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.
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