ALBANY — Gov. Paterson escalated his budget battle with the Legislature yesterday as he vowed to slash state spending unilaterally by including budget cuts he proposed in January in the temporary spending bill he’ll submit to lawmakers tomorrow.
“I’m taking over,” insisted Paterson, who has been unable to get the Legislature to approve a new budget since the state’s fiscal year began April 1.
“I’m not going to sit here and watch this debate go on and on,” contended Paterson, who is grappling with a projected $9.2 billion deficit.
Lawmakers must either vote yes or no on Paterson’s proposal; they can’t modify it.
Voting no would create an instant financial crisis because there would be no money to keep the government running.