Gov. Paterson will wait until June — or even later — to get a “fiscally responsible” budget and won’t allow lawmakers to use borrowing “as an excuse not to cut spending,” an administration source said yesterday.
The source blasted state lawmakers for their lack of leadership in addressing the state’s fiscal problems.
“Were these people elected to be leaders and make tough decisions to protect the future of New Yorkers, or were they elected to be the social directors on a cruise ship?” the source asked angrily.
“The governor is adamant that he’s going to have a fiscally responsible budget. He’s not going to agree to anything unless that happens, and he’s prepared to wait as long as necessary.
“And ‘fiscally responsible’ means significantly more spending reductions than what the Legislature has on the table.
“Borrowing is an excuse not to reduce spending, not to make tough decisions,” the source added.
Paterson and the Legislature’s Democratic leaders are at least $1.2 billion apart on closing a projected $9 billion-plus budget deficit — assuming the governor backs Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch’s controversial plan to borrow $2 billion for operating expenses.
Skeptical Paterson aides call Ravitch’s plan “the Silver Plan” — because they’re convinced it was inspired by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan), a Ravitch political ally who has embraced the heavy borrowing.
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Even some of state GOP Chairman Ed Cox’s friends have begun to turn on him over the bitter and divisive battle that’s exploded between gubernatorial contenders Steve Levy, the Democrat-turned-Republican and Suffolk County executive backed by Cox, and former US Rep. Rick Lazio.
“Simply put, the GOP has a real s- – – show on its hands because of a lack of leadership by Ed Cox,” said a prominent Republican with ties to Cox and officials across the state.
“Let’s face it, Ed should have pushed [Erie County Executive Chris] Collins for governor, forced Lazio into the Senate race, and had his top two positions locked in back in January — and then he wouldn’t have had a Levy or [wealthy Buffalo developer Carl] Paladino in the race,” the insider continued.
The source predicted that Levy would fail to get enough votes at the GOP nominating convention to get on the primary ballot, and that the tough-talking and still-barely known Paladino would defeat Lazio in the September primary.