By Mariel S. Clark
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Governor David Paterson announced he plans to withhold $84 million in state funding from New York City, most of which will come from school aid.
The cuts are part of a $750 million freeze on payments made to schools and local governments. Paterson announced the plan Sunday and says it's an attempt to keep the state afloat for the rest of the year.
The Governor blamed the cuts on the Legislature for not doing enough to close the state's estimated $3.2 billion budget gap.
"If the Legislature won't act, then I will," he told reporters. "I will not let this state run out of money on my watch."
The Governor's plan has drawn criticism and threats of a lawsuit from school groups if their funding is withheld.
"We're disappointed in the tack that the governor has taken, especially after the Legislature expressly chose not to reduce school aid, and we are reviewing our legal options," Carl Korn, spokesman for the New York State United Teachers, told the New York Post.
Paterson may also face challenges from legislators who say the move is unconstitutional.
"Case law says the Legislature is the branch of government with the power to enact and amend the budget," Sen. Eric Schneiderman (D-Manhattan), told Gothamist. "He may have difficulty working with the Legislature, but it is his constitutional obligation to do so."
