New York Governor David Paterson is now taking $1.6 billion worth of temporary, emergency measures to cover the state’s December bills. That’s while he’s continuing to try to get the Legislature to agree with $1.4 billion more to address a deficit.
Most of the immediate action involves shifting money from state agencies to the general fund, which must be returned to the agencies within four months under law. He also says he will temporarily use some cash from previously scheduled borrowing for capital projects.
Two major pieces are less certain. He plans to get $200 million from the group yet to be chosen to put video slot machines at Aqueduct race track, a process that has been delayed for years.