By Heather Grossmann
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — After weeks of pleading with the State Legislature to cut the budget, Gov. David Paterson is taking matters into his own hands.
Citing New York’s inability to pay its December bills, Paterson is pushing legislation that would grant him one-time, unilateral power to slash spending and temporarily halt the state’s fiscal crisis.
“This is a lack-of-cash crisis that threatens the credibility of our state,” Paterson said in a Web address Tuesday morning.
“Unless we take action, the State will run out of money.”
The emergency bill, dubbed the “Executive Option Proposal,” would allow the embattled governor to address the $3.2 billion deficit without approval from the legislature. Paterson said this power was necessary to save the state’s credit rating and keep it afloat.
The governor blamed “certain legislators” who were unable to admit there was a fiscal crisis or unwilling to do anything about it for the stalled budget reduction plans.
Paterson said he was submitting two pieces of legislation this morning. The first was his deficit reduction plan, which he wants an up or down vote on, and the second was the “Executive Option Proposal.”
This is not the first time this year that New Yorkers have been treated to a display of power — whether real or contrived — by the governor. During the senate coup this summer, Paterson repeatedly grandstanded for New Yorkers, admonishing the senate to “get back to work or else,” with no tangible consequence.
It remains to be seen how the legislature will respond this time, but Paterson is standing tough.
“Cut this deficit with me, or I will do it myself,” Paterson said. “The people of New York have waited too long.”
