PATERSON ANNOUNCES SAFETY GRANTS

Governor David A. Paterson today announced that New York State and New York City have applied for $540 million in broadband Federal stimulus grants to expand existing State-owned broadband networks and strengthen public safety interoperability in all of the State's counties, New York City, and neighboring states.

The proposed projects reflect the Governor's plan to build a New Economy based on knowledge, technology and innovation, by maximizing Federal stimulus funding to improve broadband infrastructure while creating jobs to stimulate the State economy. The State of New York, in partnership with the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) and the City of New York, submitted separate but complementary broadband Federal stimulus applications to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which represent an unprecedented level of cooperation and collaboration between State and local entities.

"These two applications are the most innovative and efficient public safety networks our current technology has to offer," Governor Paterson said. "The projects align with the goals set forth in the broadband provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, specifically with regard to enhancing service for public safety anchor institutions, as well as supporting New York State's overall broadband strategy. I can think of no better projects for the NTIA to fund for our public safety than these applications submitted on behalf of the State of New York and the City of New York."

New York State, in partnership with NYSAC, proposes to deploy a 700 MHz wireless broadband network for public safety use to 57 counties outside of New York City for State and local government use. The network will adopt a common technological standard to support a variety of applications which public safety users can access during normal and emergency field operations. Applications include streaming video, digital imaging, automatic vehicle location, computer aided dispatching, e-mail, mapping/GIS, remote database access, report management system access, text messaging, telemetry/remote diagnostics, and web access will be available over the high-speed broadband.

MORE PRESSURE ON PATERSON?

You all may remember an article I did last year about Paterson appointing Harry Corbitt to superintendent of the State Police. Remember all the comments about what a terrific choice he was? Well, he may still be a terrific cop and has my utmost respect for all he's done in the past, but his long history of serving the State of New York is over.
Corbitt, has acknowledged only a week ago, that a state police official had contacted the woman who accused Paterson's aide, David Johnson, of assaulting her last fall. Soon after, the woman dropped complaint. According to AP reports, Corbitt has expressed discomfort with the pressures of being involved in the developing story and has decided to leave office.

I eluded to the possibility that the Governor's troubles may not be over yet in an earlier post. According to the News 9 transcript that I found, Corbitt's boss, Deputy Secretary for Public Safety Denise O'Donnell, resigned a week ago, saying direct contact by the governor and troopers with the woman was "unacceptable" regardless of their intent.

If this thing gets any deeper, Paterson may follow the footsteps of his predecessor and leave us with Governor Ravitch like I predicted. Does this seem like one of those slow motion car accidents that you just helplessly watch as it happens? It's remarkable.

PATERSON, CUOMO & THE BOMBSHELL

So, our Governor David Paterson is not seeking re-election this November. Leaving the opportunity for Andrew Cuomo to make his move for the position, as we suspected would happen anyway pending a primary challenge. That news conference is sure to come shortly.

Last week while in Manhattan, Paterson said: "Today I am announcing that I am ending my campaign for governor of the state of New York. It has become increasingly clear to me in the last few days that I cannot run for office and try to manage the state's business at the same time."

We all know Paterson has suffered from record-low approval ratings which only added speculation that he wouldnt survive such a primary against Cuomo. Now, as if he experienced an epiphany, David has opted not to run. This isnt such a bad attempt to diminish what could be more bad news for the Governor in months to come. Who knows where the AG's latest investigation will lead. It is the New York Governor's seat you know.

If he were to resign, which he swears he wont, we would have a Governor Ravitch for the remaining term ending December 31st. Does anyone know anything about Ravitch? Me neither.
New York is in a heap of trouble.

Here's the kicker; the Madame that managed the call girl outfit that supplied Eliot Spitzer with his playmates, has made it known that she will also satisfy the petition process to be eligible to run for Governor on an independent party line this November.

What are the odds that you'll see the name Kristen Davis next to Andrew Cuomo and Rick Lazio on the ballot? Who would she endorse as Lieutenant?

CUOMO FUNDRAISING EFFORTS

According to the New York Times, Andrew Cuomo is way ahead in the fundraising race for this years general election. With more than $16 million in his campaign account, he finds himself as top dog in the state financially. Other reports have Paterson holding about $4 million. We are hearing less about the other contenders, some of which I have pointed out here.

It's quite the gap. If someone were to read the numbers and have to make an assumption, you could easily expect our AG to run away with the Democratic nomination for Governor this year. That is, if the Democrats want a democratic governor.

The Post says Paterson has been spending more than he's been bringing in over the last six months, in hopes to bolster his sagging approval ratings, but I don't see it working. He's also spending a heap of cash on insider handlers like PR personnel. I think he may have wasted his money there too.

Steve Levy, as I mentioned last week, still has almost $5 million. But he's turned out to be as viable a Gubernatorial candidate for the Democrats as Harold Ford is for Senate. Can you say DINO? The Times went on to highlight the $32 million that Eliot Spitzer spent in 2006. They're all going to have raise plenty more money, and fast.

You all realize, this leaves the question as to who will run for AG, Lieutenant Governor and whether Tom Dinapoli is seeking his post as Comptroller. Those options on both sides will start to reveal themselves as the spring gets closer. Meanwhile, I'm expecting all the candidates to incorporate the fundraising methods we just saw with the Haiti relief into their own campaigns.

Example: Just text CUOMO to 55505 to donate $10 to his campaign! Wouldn't that be a revolution in fundraising efforts? They'd all be doing it and you'd have to keep a list of five digit numbers handy as you walk door to door this summer. Sounds crazy, but don't expect anything less.

The last push for funds before the January deadline was still through the old fashioned method of Email, asking supporters to donate $15 by this weekend. The key point here is Email is already "Old Fashioned." Today you better be savvy in the fields of Texting, FaceBook and Twitter if you want to run for high office. I have a feeling, Andrew will be the first to utilize this revolutionary trend in communication long before the others.

You can reach me at UlsterMadness@twitter.com

SUFFOLK EXEC TO PRIMARY PATERSON?

What does Suffolk County have that Ulster County doesn't? A Democrat County Executive willing to primary Governor Paterson. That's what.

His name is Steve Levy and he has formally thrown his hat into the prospect of running for Governor. What makes Levy a possible contender for the position? MONEY. He's got plenty of it. However he has become a bit of a lightning rod pertaining to the issue of illegal immigration. It seems Mr Levy is not a fan of those who break federal laws. Go figure.

Don't laugh, some people encourage the continued flow of undocumented persons from around the world for the sake of keeping labor costs at poverty levels. Hey, it helps industry and farming right? Yeah, just like Monsanto.

Question is, where does this leave Andrew Cuomo? You know I have been anticipating that announcement for some time now and feel he would make a superb Governor for New York State. Will this push Andy to make the jump sooner, or will he sit back and watch the democrats within the state tear each other to shreds through the spring before jumping in?

Mr. Levy told the New York Times: “At this point, it’s an exploratory committee to test the waters, but I’ve got a great deal of interest to take the skill set I’ve developed here in Suffolk County and apply them to the state at a time of potential fiscal collapse.”

Outside of his own money, Levy has accrued about $4 million in just a few months, while Paterson has over $5 million and Cuomo well over $10 million. Scary isn't it?

Outside of New York City, Suffolk is the most populated county in the state. The Times article noted that he got 96% of the vote in 2007 by securing five lines on the ballot. But I pose another question to you...have you ever heard of him? This far from Long Island...I don't think so.

With the rumors of yet another attempt by the Obama Administration pushing Paterson to step out of the running, I see Dave digging in and forcing a primary just to make everyone spend extra money in their campaigns. That is until the Obama camp finds him a lucrative position in DC. What?!! Like that statement surprises you.

PATERSON VETOs BILLS: PEACE OFFICERS

This past week, Gov Paterson whipped out the VETO stamp and killed a few Bills that made it to his desk. Ordinarily, the thought of denying anything in the way of spending from the NY Senate is a good thing. But in this case I have to disagree.

Eleven of the bills that were killed, would have extended peace officer status to several new groups working across the state, including animal-abuse investigators, animal-control officers, and court attendants in municipalities across New York.
[The latest class of graduates in NYC pictured above]

There has been a serious increase in requests to confer peace-officer within many jurisdictions. Peace officers have many of the same powers as police officers: (depending on the town) such as warrantless arrests, using physical force during arrests and issuing appearance tickets, but with less training and lesser salary.
[would the workman's comp be worth it?]

We don't have peace officers here in Kingston, Ulster County or any other local counties that I am a aware of and in some cases, the laws prohibit the use of Peace Officers. That is "peace officers" who act as just that and not as an extension of another official job.

The days of the town constable are long gone, but the duties of a corrections or probation officer as well as forest ranger can lend themselves to that title. Often with salaries higher than the average police officer.

The Governor thinks the training for Peace Officers is lacking in New York and has since unfunded any new applications to the program for those communities that do. Both the Assembly and Senate passed the increased funding.

The only way to increase or police protection locally, would be through the use of part-time officers, but of course that would have to survive the contract negotiations that municipalities like Kingston go through every three years. The PBA would have to want to offer the option for the subject to even be addressed.

Mind you, it is a far cry from the recent push for Guardian Angels here in Kingston. That plea from a few groups in midtown-west wasnt fully embraced by the Administration. The possible havok that a group of empowered civilians would bring to the police department would present more of a burden and place the city at such a lawsuit risk, that the benefits wouldnt be worth the trouble.

But Part time Officer's might be the answer.

Now where would we get the money?

PATERSON UNCORKED A BIG ONE!

The glass is half empty! The glass of wine anyway.

Governor Paterson has proposed in his budget, a provision that would allow wine to be sold in grocery, drug and convenience stores across New York State. He's looking for that one time shot of revenue from the tidal wave of liquor licenses from all those stores to help with this year's financial shortfalls.

What he doesn't understand is that the traditional liquor stores, even if you disagree with alcohol consumption, tends to be small, family owned, establishments in our struggling business districts. Districts we are scrambling to support in these tough times.
[Madden's Spirits on Rondout pictured left]

Imagine a Big Box store having a fine Merlot. Yeah right. now imagine the young, untrained cashiers at WalMart responsible for keeping the goods out of the wrong hands on a Saturday night. It's not going to happen!

What's better; you're expecting someone in the produce section to help you pick the right wine to go with your Duck?

This issue came up at this months County Legislative meeting, where the memorializing resolution to dissuade Paterson from implementing this crazy scheme, got a unanimous vote.

Liquor and wine store owners across New York State have united against this proposition. For a one time $100 million shot in revenue for the state in the first two years, thousands of jobs would be lost and businesses would close as liquor stores became unable to compete with big chain grocery stores.

Gary Bischoff of Saugerties went into a dissertation on this ill-conceived budget proposal, imagining a colorful exchange between he and an employee at Sam's Club and asking about the selection. Jon Decker of Lloyd chimed in saying what selection? It would be all Chinese like everything else in that store.

The place broke out into laughter.

Humor aside, Governor Paterson's attempt to balance this years budget with these thinly veiled gimmicks have got to be an embarrassment to those who saw so much potential in his accidental leadership.

The County may only have authority to send Dave their plea to rethink this one, but at least they are showing us they understand the threat to small business.

CIGARETTE TAX INCREASE: A GOOD THING!

As of April 1st, all the fools out there who still buy cigarettes, will have to donate another 60 cents for that pack of death!

President Obama signed legislation that expands the State Children’s Health Insurance Program to cover more than 4 million additional low- and middle-income children across the country. The money will come from those sad pups who continue to engage in this suicidal act that has so much financial and physical impact on themselves and those around them.

The coverage here in New York wont get much of an upgrade because we already have the most generous benefits, but it will have a serious affect on the federal level where the Healthcare shortfalls need the most attention nationally.

Upstate, the average cost of the more famous brands of cigarette will be around $7.50 while the folks down in NYC will see prices around $9. Makes you wonder just how much is enough.

The American Cancer Society supports the tax hike, predicting it could get over 40,000 New Yorkers to quit smoking. The tax hike just last June did show a worthy decrease in sales, which, lets face it, if the money stopped coming in because of a successful cessation program, the need to replenish the tremendous drain on the healthcare system would fade as well.

There is another factor that most of us never think about: the tax collection on Native American reservations. From what I've read; Paterson also signed a bill that would prohibit manufacturers from shipping cigarettes to any wholesale dealer unless the dealer certifies they won’t be sold tax-free. In addition, "non-native" persons who purchase the cigarettes at a reservation, will have to spring for the additional tax stipulated by the State.

You will of course be surprised to hear that there are groups fighting this legislation. yep...The whole thing is in court just as we expected. The people who are most invested in continued dispersal of this addictive poison, want to continue the very practice that filled their pockets for so long. That's understandable.

Since I live in the neighborhood around the Kingston High School, I'll venture that I have seen fewer students smoking like chimneys as they had in years past. But it's still present as a noticeable crutch for the kids striving to be "cool". I bet it takes a big chunk out of their allowance.

SENATOR KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND

Congratulations to Kirsten Gillibrand! She has been chosen by our Governor, David Paterson to succeed Hillary Clinton as the Junior Senator for New York State.

I have no doubt that New York is in good hands, as both of Paterson's final two choices were tremendously qualified. Kisten is already in the nation's Capitol and quite familiar with the key players and the mechanisms that make the Senate function. So, the transition will be a non issue.

Andrew Cuomo is still our Attorney General and performs an impressive job in that capacity. Yes, I was leaning toward Andy, but for no other reason than having met him and knowing his political opinions better.

Now, Paterson will have to appoint a successor to Kirsten's seat in Congress. This will also become a more localised state wide concern rather than national since the seat represents a smaller portion on New York.

There will be no fewer candidates petitioning the Gov for this Congressional spot than the Senate seat, just a different lot to chose from. If I head upstate and get an apartment in that district, should I throw my hat in the ring and ask the Governor for an interview?

All joking aside, I have to offer my sincere congratulations to Kirsten Gillibrand on the Paterson choice, and the job well done for New York State so far.
May the task at hand fixing the state and national economy be your number one priority. Continue the great causes that Hillary left unfinished and help muster public support for Schumer's long term plan for rail service on the west side of the Hudson.

CAMELOT INTOXIFICATION FADES

It's confirmed: Caroline Kennedy is out of the running for the open NY State Senate seat. She notified the Governor a few days ago, that she no longerseeks the job because of family issues. Does this open the race? Will Paterson rethink the options before him?

Lets consider who's left? The two most prominenet names out there are Andrew Cuomo and Kirsten Gillibrand. Both have been subjects on past Blog posts and both have had more experience than the others and both havbe been duely elected by all or some New Yorkers.

I can't lend support to someone who comes into this seat as a complete unknown. I have to apologise for the initial gushing over Kennedy though. Like so many others, the first thought of Caroline, with her name, fundraising skills and connection to our new President did cause temporary blindness.

Now that her glow has faded and the thin resume' reviewed, I have to concede, she didnt have the tenacity or "junkyard dog" stubborness that I think New York needs in DC.

For those of you hoping for Kirsten to get the seat, her chances just got better. First, there are simple demographics: she's a woman from upstate New York and would balance the Democratic ticket in 2010.

Second, given that she's already in Washington, she would have a smoother transition than, say...Cuomo. Those who know her, think she has a close relationship with Hillary and could easily absorb much of her staff on Day One.

But, David Paterson said last week, that he is still considering AG Andrew Cuomo.

Paterson told Katie Couric on CBS that "He's a person that is the only current elected statewide official in New York, the rest of us came to our positions one way or the other. We won't rehash that. He has outstanding qualities and is someone I'm considering."

So, at this time of posting, I am in no better place to judge what Paterson is going to do than anyone else. Now that I am over the Camelot Intoxification, I think I would pick Andrew Cuomo.

What do you think?

MENTAL ILLNESS AND DRUG ADICTION

New York State is about to treat our mentally ill drug addicts very differently.

For too long, treatments have been handled separately, leaving one or the other to deepen and render recover less likely. People struggling both with mental illness and substance abuse don't get treatment for both conditions at the same time. What happens is the opportunity for relapse increases, causing a discontinuation of treatment and, in some cases, suicide.

I bring this up because I've just read about a rethinking on this flaw and the placement of Michael Hogan as New York State's Commissioner of Office of Mental Health.

His mission? To join the efforts of the Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services and the Office of Mental Health.

The numbers are staggering. I read that over a million New Yorkers experience both mental illness and substance abuse while in the system.

My friends who work in the Mental Health industry, tell me there are a high number of patients who slip right back to an untenable state after leaving drug rehab simply because their other needs were not addressed.

I know I just posted a piece on the financial mishaps at Benedictine, but both hospitals provide quality services in these fields, although separately. I guess this will change all that.

Michael Hogan said in a recent article; "We have roughly three suicides a day in New York; 90 percent of whom we know from psychological autopsies had a mental illness at the time. And it's not just mental illness, it's very often drinking or drug use."

Gov Paterson recruited Hogan after learning of his years of service in Ohio, Connecticut and serving President Bush in his Mental Health think tank established back in 2002. The idea was to merge agency programs that would suit individual needs with the elimination of the wasted overlap in services. Thus saving money and lives.

When you think about it. Why did this “clash of program” issue linger for so long and where were the health care providers when the continued numbers of failures materialized year after year?

I know a family here in Kingston who lost their son in his 30's because of the befuddled method of treating the two issues separately. It may be a few years, but the system in its current form, was partly to blame. Medicaid simply didn't pay for him to get both kinds of help at once and the family lost a loved one because of it.

I found another quote from Hogan: "If you were going to treat people with both sets of problems, you would have to go to both sets of agencies and get two different licenses, you'd have to have two different waiting rooms. You would even have to have two different bathrooms, for Pete's sake."

Well, no more. The services will be integrated at the 1,200 mental health and substance abuse outpatient treatment centers here in NY. Including the facilities that handled the patient I mentioned.

I applaud Governor Paterson for appointing Michael Hogan and letting this integration of agencies prevail. We all know friends and family members who may have or will suffer through this nightmare at some point, so seeing this come to this point is a relief and hopeful.

US SENATOR GILLIBRAND?

If you had noticed, many of the local papers have been speculating on the future of one of our US Representatives here in the upper Hudson Valley. Kirsten Gillibrand has been a media focus ever since Hillary was rumored to be picked as Secretary of State in the Obama cabinet.

Clinton’s departure leaves a tremendous void to be filled by someone just as dynamic. Could Kirsten achieve such a role?

Asked about speculation that she could be picked to succeed Clinton, Gillibrand replied: “That’s for the governor to decide.”

Indeed it is. I made this the base of a prior Blog Post with the focus on the joy of Clinton in the White House, but we really do have to consider, what does Gov. Dave think is the best option; something that helps the state and our economy? Or an appointment that better insures his re-election?

Gillibrand said she plans to advocate for investment in middle-class tax cuts, noting that property taxes are too high mostly due to unfunded mandates at the federal level as well as promote targeted tax credits for college tuition and early childhood education.

Quoted in the Freeman article: Kirsten will increase attention to infrastructure; roads, bridges, sewer and water systems, high-speed Internet access in rural areas and health-care information technology. She has also gotten health-care IT money for Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson because “mistakes are the biggest costs in health care.”

I have to point out, Gillibrand also said she would also like to see high-speed rail or light rail in the Hudson Valley. This sounds like she studied the DelaroseToSenate website. That was one of Larry’s babies.

Gillibrand has some well thought out views on alternative energy production and speaks openly against the super corporate bailouts that the Fed has been touting, so she may have enough spine after all.

If Dave were to appoint Kirsten to the Junior Senator seat, she may do New Yorkers just as much good as Chuck and Hillary have.

Keep your schedule open Kirsten.

LEADERSHIP THEATRICS IN ALBANY

Just like the City of Kingston and every town across the nation, New York State is in a financial mess. With the second highest taxes, (second only to California) New Yorkers pay the most taxes per capita in the northeast.

Having stated that, I had the displeasure of seeing our state leadership as a panel on PBS13 over the weekend. Gov Paterson seated in the middle, with Dean Skelos on one side and both Silver and Tedesco on the other. Malcolm Smith was a no-show. It’s just as well.

As the program went on, I realized these guys have no intention of taking any big steps to cut spending and decrease pork. So I have to ask, does Governor Dave have a plan B? He has asked the NY representatives to come back to Albany on several occasions and had little success in cutting spending.

I know from experience here on the Council level what we can and can’t alter regarding minimum operating funds, state regs and contractual agreements, but NY is a big state, and heavy with bureaucracy. Surely there is fat hiding somewhere.

Paterson offered a slashed version of the budget with funding cuts to Schools and Medicaid, while increasing tuition costs at SUNY and CUNY. With that kind of threat, you’d think the obstinacy of the Legislature would diminish. Not a chance. Skelos and Silver are fine with Paterson taking the heat, so long as no-one touches their line-item pork.
[Hey, why don’t the Aldermen get pork?]

The last tool Paterson could use is the power to order our reps back to Albany weekly. Doing this during the holiday season would actually be fun to watch. He could also lay off a chunk of the state workforce. Let the pink slips hit the mailboxes right around Christmas. With State Senators like our own Bill Larkin, spending over 1.2 Million in office expenses in the last 18 months, even he might turn off some lights at night.

And where was Smith during this Faux Leadership meeting? Was he too busy with his new economic team for 2009, or did he know this was just theatrics for the sleeping legislature?

Now I’m off to a City Budget meeting. I’ve got my scissors.

HATE CASE FAILS NY COURT

Last week, I got an Email from a woman I know expressing jubilation that the lawsuit aimed at restricting Paterson’s executive order to recognize out of state same-sex marriages, had failed.

It was the first direct legal challenge to Gov. Paterson's action, and with it’s defeat, presents the policy as a legally allowable stand for fairness.

Judge Lucy Billings, of the Bronx, wrote “The decision to wed represents a personal expression of emotional devotion, support and interdependence and a public commitment. With that validity, they expect equal treatment with other married couples."

Her ruling comes as thousands of gay and lesbian New Yorkers are expected to make use of Massachusetts' recent decision to let out-of-state gay couples marry there.

Don’t think for a second that the fanatics that brought the New York case won’t fight it. As civil-liberties groups hailed the ruling as supporting equality for same-sex couples, they are expected to appeal the ruling.

Our Governor called it "a wise and fair determination." This allows state agencies in NY the ability to recognize same-sex marriages legally performed elsewhere.

These radical groups are involved in numerous cases around the country that concern same-sex marriage, abortion, school prayer and other social issues. Let’s call it the Palin Initiative. They already have several ongoing cases over attempts to extend spousal rights to gay couples in New York.

Several Republican state senators in tough re-election bids throughout the state, signed onto the latest suit. Including our local good ‘Ol boy Bill Larkin. It seems Bill and his colleagues still bring out the three G’s (guns, gays & god) during a tough election cycle.

No surprise that the group who proposed the lawsuit is based in Arizona. We can only assume, Presidential hopeful McCain and the snow queen would agree with the equal rights opposition.

Taken from the AP: Judge Billings called Paterson’s executive policy of equal recognition, a "permissible, if not mandated, step toward the objective of equality for a group for whom legal as well as practical barriers to equality persist."

She also said refusing to respect a same-sex marriage conducted elsewhere is "antithetical to family stability."
Since I know couples who have been together and raising families for over 30 and 40 years, I would have to agree.

PATERSON TALKS TOUGH CUTS

Paterson has given the State Legislature a two week notice that serious work has to be done to lessen the tax burden increase on New Yorkers. I can’t believe he’s cutting their summer recess short!

What do you think will get done in Albany?

Paterson called back the state Legislature to the Capitol on Aug. 19 to start tackling a $6.4 billion budget gap in the 2009 budget that threatens to disrupt state services.

This is a result of an estimated budget gap of $26.2 billion budget gap over the next three years.

Paterson said on TV: "Our economic woes are so severe that I wanted to talk to you personally this evening on where we stand, the fact is we confront harsh times. Let me be honest, this situation will get worse before it gets better."

Now, I don’t want to startle anyone, but since when do politicians tell it straight-up?

We may know what’s coming, but these guys in Albany and DC usually tell a rosy ”Everything will be fine” speech. Paterson called on lawmakers to come back to Albany to find remedies to the state's fiscal problems that are also impacting the current 2008-09 fiscal year, which runs until March 31.

Paterson continued: "For too long we have done less with more and paid more for less. Now government will do what families have done when their incomes have fallen: we will cut spending. Government will learn to do more with less."

Here on the local level, the city and towns are struggling to deal with the eminent energy expenses, while sales tax revenues and discretionary spending are down across the county.

Expect all town boards and the Common Council to tie down what little they can to weather this perfect storm. Preliminary figures for next year have me second guessing the worth of some programs and employees. Oh, imagine taking property off the tax rolls now!

The state is experiencing the most serious budget shortfall since 2002, when the deficit was more than $10 billion after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In the 2003-04 fiscal year, the state had to close an $11.5 billion gap. The City of Kingston had to hit the 7% mark that year, and did it hurt!

According to an article in the Albany Times: Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, R-Schenectady, said the test will be whether Paterson, unlike his predecessors, has the courage to override powerful special-interest groups.

I would second that concern for that is the true test here.

GOV PATERSON PAC RAISING FUNDS

So, David Paterson is already raising funds for his 2010 race. His campaign committee said Sunday that it raised more than $3.2 million in just over two months.
With most of the funds coming from more than 600 donors, we see that “big money” people have invested in Paterson’s reelection already.

Jonathan Rosen, his campaign spokesman said “Most of the money was raised at small events over the past several weeks.”

I guess this puts to rest any questions about his intent to run for Governor on his own. In an interview on NPR last week, Alan Chartock, the station director, said Paterson will have a tough time if Bloomberg jumps in and that he feels Mike would do a better job.

Paterson, The Harlem Democrat rose from the lieutenant governor's office on March 17, after Eliot Spitzer resigned.

I would like to see if Tom Golisano contributed to the campaign and what he thinks of the Governors management style. This is the year Tom has decided to contribute to changing the way New York is represented.

The no-nonsense billionaire has run and failed for this position himself, and knows Dave is vulnerable, but will he convince Bloomberg to jump in next year?

That’s the kind of race the whole country will be watching.