By Heather Grossmann
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — The state Legislature finally came up with a budget deficit reduction deal on Monday, but according to Gov. David Paterson, the cuts aren’t deep enough to save the state from a fiscal crisis.
The Legislature’s plan would cut $2.8 billion from the budget, but it excludes cuts to school aid that the governor’s $3.2 billion budget deficit reduction proposal included. Paterson has been warning of the dire state of New York’s finances for weeks, saying that the state is on the brink of running out of cash and will be unable to pay its December bills, threatening New York’s credit rating.
The governor ended talks with the Legislature last night, saying the discussions were not getting anywhere, and that he would continue to act on his own to save the state.
"If the Legislature won't stand up for the people of New York because they're worried about the next election, then I will on my own,” Paterson said, according to the New York Post.
"Negotiations with legislative leaders on a deficit reduction plan concluded this afternoon.”
Paterson ordered his budget office to withhold local aid, including payments to school districts and local government, so that New York will have enough money to make it through the year.
The Assembly’s majority leader, Ronald Canestrari, told the Daily News said he believed there is currently a three-way deal — which includes the Senate, Assembly and governor — and “unless it falls apart, I expect we'll vote on it [today]."
Mayor Michael Bloomberg told reporters on Monday that city residents should call their lawmakers and urge them to support the governor’s proposal.
"At least our governor is trying to do something," Bloomberg said.
