ALBANY – Gov. Paterson failed again yesterday to get lawmakers to agree on a plan to cut $3 billion in state spending — even as New York voters were expressing disgust with Albany’s dysfunction.
A new Marist College poll found 69 percent of New York voters say they’re either “very worried” or “worried” that the state will run out of money next month, as Paterson has warned.
The poll also found that voters, by an overwhelming 70 to 21 percent, blame the Legislature and not Paterson for the state’s fiscal problem.
But that doesn’t mean they approve of Paterson’s handling of the budget situation.
The poll showed that 64 percent of voters disapprove of Paterson’s strategy for dealing with the crisis, while just 28 percent approve.
Paterson, who has called the Legislature into special session for the second week in a row, said he would keep lawmakers at the Capitol at least through the end of today. He has warned of tough but unspecified actions if no action is taken.