New York Gov. David Paterson and legislative leaders are meeting to address a $2.1 billion deficit that Paterson says is getting worse, just five months after the state budget was adopted.
Paterson calls the meeting crucial. Deals to cut spending or increase revenue could be enacted in a special session of the Legislature expected in a few weeks.
Paterson says he wants to address the deficit by cutting spending, not by increasing taxes or fees.
But a Siena College poll finds that 80% of New Yorkers don’t think he and the Legislature will address the deficit without additional increases in taxes and fees.
Wednesday morning’s session in the Capitol is expected to include Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson.