Gov. Paterson adresses joint session of Leg.

Gov. David A. Paterson addressed the joint session of the Legislature by expressing his deep, abiding respect for the institution. The governor reminded the Assembly and Senate that he was once a legislator who worked to improve health care and education, and that his views had not changed but the economic view had. “Frankly, we are running out of money,” said Paterson.

Paterson then proposed a two year budget deficit reduction plan that would immediately cut $3.2 billion from the current year budget, and $5 billion over all. He warned that action must be taken quickly and cited examples such as Massachusetts, which asked for a federal loan, and Arizona, which mortgaged its capitol. “We must act now, not tomorrow, not next week, not next year,” said Paterson.

The governor’s plan involves cutting 10 percent from state agencies, which will save $500 million. Other cuts come in the form of a $686 million cut from education and $471 million from health care. Paterson reiterated the hardship this would cause the state and asked for the legislature’s support, saying “I will mortgage my political career on this plan, but I will not mortgage the fate of the state of New York.”

Paterson’s speech to the joint session also addressed the same-sex marriage bill in the Senate. He said, “I am asking members of the New York state Senate to take up and pass the marriage equity legislation this week.” The governor said if gay and lesbian couples wanted to marry, they should be allowed to do so and called them not just members of our families but members of the family of New York

Directly following the joint session Paterson, lawmakers went into conference. Paterson emerged about an hour after with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. Paterson said the budget cuts could be flexible and that both conferences would work through the night to come to a decision. When asked about the chances that the budget would be passed the governor replied, “You’ve come to the wrong building. I’m not a seer, I’m not a shaman.”

Gov. seeks action on deficit-reduction and other legislative priorities

It’s not only the governor’s two-year, $5.2 billion deficit reduction plan that lawmakers will be asked to consider tomorrow. Proposals to make same-sex marriage legal and to cap government spending are among eight other items on Gov. David A. Paterson’s agenda for the extraordinary session.

The governor is expected to address the Legislature in a joint session today at 3 in the Assembly Chamber to outline some of his proposals.

“The time to act is now,” Paterson said last week when he announced the session. “The deficit reduction plan, while painful, is necessary to keep our state afloat.”

Also on Paterson’s agendas is a proposed cap on annual government spending and a circuit breaker bill that would place a ceiling on property owners’ school tax bills based on a percentage of their incomes.

Providing property tax relief through local government efficiency is another way the governor proposes to bring about economic stability.

The governor is also hoping the Senate will take action on his bill to legalize same-sex marriage in the state. The Assembly passed the legislation earlier in the year.

New York’s chief executive wants lawmakers to act on bills that would increase penalties for those found guilty of alcohol- and drug-related driving crimes, especially those involving children. In addition to beefing up punishments for those who put a child’s life at risk, the governor would like to increase the court’s ability to require those convicted of DWI to install ignition interlock devices in their vehicles.

Increasing transparency and accountability for state authorities buy establishing an independent authorities budget office is yet another measure Paterson is hoping the Legislature will act on.

Another piece of the governor’s legislative agenda is a proposal to eliminate a statutory inconsistency that allows some serious felons to be eligible for parole or medical parole earlier than intended.

The creation of a new Tier 5 in the state pension system for certain newly hired state and local government employees, and establishing a sustainable energy loan program to help property owners install renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements are among other plans the governor wants the Legislature to adopt.

Although the governor can call the Legislature into session, he cannot force them to take a vote on any piece of legislation.

A live webcast of Paterson’s 3 p.m. address to the Legislature today can be viewed by visiting: http://pointers.audiovideoweb.com/asxfiles-live/ca25winlive2138.asx

Paterson campaign hits the airwaves

Gov. David A. Paterson’s 2010 campaign announced today it would begin airing its first campaign television ads statewide. The ads, both of which last about 30 seconds, are titled “Some Say” and “When.”

“Some say” is directed toward Paterson’s critics who believe he should not run for governor. Paterson specifically mentions the Legislature, union leaders and big corporations, all of which the governor says, told him he shouldn’t run after he forced them to make difficult choices. The governor then says that it would have been easier had he just been trying to get re-elected.

“When” features biographical information about Paterson, and uses examples from his life, such as his blindness, early graduation from high school and degrees from Columbia University and Hofstra Law School to show positive character traits.

Both of the governor’s campaign ads end with the phrase “To do what’s right for the people of New York,” and work to illustrate that Paterson has New Yorker’s best interests in mind and will continue to do so.

Paterson’s ad “When” even goes as far as to admit he’s made mistakes in office, but adds: “In the depths of a historic recession, you take what you have learned and have strength to do what’s right for the people of New York”

Paterson, who ascended from lieutenant governor to become the state’s chief executive as a result of Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s scandal-induced resignation, has seen consistently low polling numbers since the beginning of 2009.

Paterson announced in September his selection of Richard Fife as his campaign manager. Fife was a senior New York adviser to President Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.

Senate majority will snub Paterson

AP - New York officials say the Senate's Democratic majority won't attend Democratic Gov. David Paterson's joint address to the Legislature Monday on trying to create a coalition to address the state's latest fiscal crisis.

A senior Democratic official close to the majority's leaders said the senators won't return to Albany for what the official termed "a photo opp" for Paterson, who is languishing in the polls as he seeks election in 2010.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak for the senators.

The Senate's Republican minority and the Assembly's Democratic majority and Republican minority plan to attend the rare midyear address to a joint session of the Legislature called by Paterson.

UPDATE: According to the Daily Politics, the Senate Democratic majority will be present on Monday.

Street Finder's Bill Becomes Law Just in Time for Tuesday's Elections

A week before Election Day, Gov. David A. Paterson signed a bill into law that will help voters find their correct voting locations if they are mistaken on Tuesday and go to the wrong polling site.

On Oct. 28 Assemblywoman Amy Paulin’s bill (A1002C), which requires election sites in New York state to supply information and maps regarding the location of voting sites, became a law.

“The essence is, you want to enable people to vote and this is a bill that will help accomplish that,” said Amy Paulin, D-Scarsdale, in an interview with the Legislative Gazette.

According to a prepared statement from the governor’s office, the new law will ensure that workers at polling sites supply voters with the information they need about their correct polling sites, “including countywide maps that delineate voting districts.”

“It is fairly common for voters to end up at the wrong polling place. Now, election workers will have the proper tools to assist these individuals and ensure their votes are counted,” Governor Paterson said in a prepared statement. “I am proud to be working with the legislature on passing laws that increase access and ease for New Yorkers to vote; just last month, I signed a bill requiring New York City to translate all voting materials into Russian.”

Often if a voter shows up to the incorrect polling site, he or she could be informed of their correct voting site, but that it does not always happen. Paulin’s bill is aimed to assist voters who are unsure of or have mistaken their correct polling location.

“It’s to make sure that when voters come into their polling site and their names aren’t found, the poll workers can check their address and send them to the right place or let them vote in the place they’re at if they’re truly in the district,” Paulin said. “We’re franchising people instead of disenfranchising people.”

According to a statement released by Allison Esposito, Paulin’s communications director, if an individual in New York goes to the wrong polling site, they may be provided a provisional ballot, “and it will not count if submitted in the voter’s incorrect polling place.”

Paulin spoke about the law’s effect on elections and voters, saying “It will have a great impact on individual people — people want to be able to exercise their right to vote.”

“Mistakes can be made, which can’t be helped unless we dramatically change the system,” Paulin said. “This is a bill that will help people who have moved and who have not voted in a while.” 

She added, “This will enable them to get the correct information so that they can exercise their right to vote.”

NYC leaders meeting

Here is a story from Capital News 9 about yesterday's leaders meeting in New York City.

Police Get Training to Protect Abortion Providers

More than 80 law enforcement officials, reproductive health care providers and advocates from across New York came together yesterday to discuss how to better protect reproductive clinics and providers, and actions to take against anti-abortion terrorism.

Gov. David A. Paterson signed bill A.8924/S. 6112 into law yesterday that establishes the crime of aggravated interference with health care services in the first and second degrees. Sponsored by Sen. Kevin Parker, D--Brooklyn, and Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, D--Grand Island, the law calls for new felony classifications to further penalize someone who causes physical injury to any reproductive health care provider. The law will protect doctors and staff workers in clinics.

Julie Murphy, investigator with the New York state Police Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit for Troop G, helped plan the training for yesterday's event and gave a presentation on Operation Safeguard, an outreach program developed by the state Office of Homeland Security that incorporates all law enforcement.

The safeguard plan provides information education and suspicious indicators to reproductive health care centers to help them understand what necessary steps to take if they witness conspicuous behavior in their work place. If wary behavior by any individual is apparent, clincs can call the toll-free tip line 1-800-SAFENYS.

Anti-abortion terrorism hit New York in 1998 when abortion provider Dr. Barnett Slepian was murdered in his home near Buffalo by anti-abortion activist James Kopp.

"The important part is that we recognize that despite anyone's beliefs or feelings about this emotionally charged issues is that it is a law enforcement issue," said Denise E. O'Donnell, deputy secretary for public safety. "We do have an obligation to protect individuals who are providing reproduction services."

The most recent incident occurred this year when Dr. George Tiller was shot and killed in a church in Wichita, Kan. Yesterday's event was developed in response to this murder and is used as a case example to show what law enforcement can do to better ensure our state is safe, according to Murphy.

Electric car manufacturing company will move to Syracuse

Gov. David A. Paterson announced Oct. 23 that an electric car manufacturing company will be opening a facility in Onondaga County, where Syracuse is located.

Bannon Automotive LLC will be investing $26.6 million for this move.

Paul Wimer, the company’s CEO said that Syracuse’s proximity to the rest of New York and other states; Central New York’s persistent initiative to promote green technology, as well as the support of economic development agencies and local leaders, made the company decide to set up this manufacturing base.

This move will create about 250 new full-time jobs for New Yorkers.

“By locating in Central New York, Bannon Automotive is helping to establish our state as the global leader in the clean energy economy and is building on my initiative to accelerate innovation in electric vehicle technology through the New York Battery and Energy Storage Consortium,” Paterson said. “The market for both electric cars and new battery technologies is expected to grow significantly in the coming years and that means jobs for New Yorkers.”

Paterson announced the New York Battery and Energy Storage Consortium or NY-BEST on Oct. 5 to develop energy storage technology and create jobs for New Yorkers. It includes manufacturing of batteries to be used in hybrid cars.

Paterson confident Senate will pass gay marriage bill

The Associated Press reported Friday that Gov. David A. Paterson, speaking at Empire State Pride Agenda's fall dinner in Manhattan, said a same-sex marriage bill stalled in the Senate will pass "in the next few weeks."

The state Assembly has already passed its version of the bill. Paterson has yet to name a date for a special session.

Paterson reverses mandatory H1N1 vaccines for health care workers as supplies run short

Gov. David. A. Paterson has announced that state Health Commissioner Richard Daines has suspended the mandatory seasonal and swine flu vaccination requirements for New York state health care workers.

In his announcement, Paterson said, “Over the last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledged that New York would only receive approximately 23 percent of its anticipated vaccine supply by the end of the month.”

The federal government had originally projected that 120 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine would be available nationwide by the end of October, however the CDC announced this week that only 23 percent of the original estimate, or 27.7, million doses would be available by this date. Daines said the Department of Health told hospitals that if the choice had to be made between vaccinating patients or employees, patients should come first.

The priority cases for vaccination spelled out by the CDC include pregnant women, children and young people between 6 months and 24 years old, people who care for infants under six months, because those infants cannot be vaccinated, people between the ages of 25-64 years old with medical conditions and health care workers.

Daines urged health care workers to be vaccinated when enough vaccinations become available, but said that “New evidence is showing H1N1 can be extremely virulent to pregnant women and young people — so they should be vaccinated first.”

SUNY Albany Students Say "No More Cuts!"

Yesterday, students and faculty flooded the bookstore lobby at SUNY Albany demonstrating an injury theme in response to Gov. David A. Paterson's $90 million proposed cut to the SUNY system.

Students sported Band-Aids and signs that read "no more cuts" as student New York Public Interest Research Group members spoke out against the budget proposal and called upon Senator Neil Breslin and Assemblyman John McEneny to help push for a budget deficit reduction plan that will protect students from experiencing another unfair tuition hike and more slashes to their school's budget.

"As a member of the SUNY community, I think these cuts are outrageous," said Jaqi Cohen, NYPIRG's higher education project manager. "Our university system has yet to recover from the hundreds of millions of dollars worth of cuts that were implemented last year, making this round of cuts more unbearable."

Leaders meeting

Legislative leaders, meeting with Gov. David A. Paterson and Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch this morning in the Capitol, recommitted themselves to working together to cut the state's budget deficit. The leaders used the meeting to air concerns over last Thursday's proposal by the governor to cut $5 billion from the budget over the next two years.

Senate Democratic Conference Leader John L. Sampson, D—Brooklyn, said his colleagues agree with many of the proposed cuts, but fear how the $500 million cut to state agencies will impact SUNY and CUNY. The $500 million cut amounts to a 10 percent reduction in agency budgets. SUNY itself would face a $90 million cut.

Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos, R—Rockville Centre, said that Republicans are concerned that the mid-year cuts in school aid are geographically disproportional. Skelos expressed his opposition to any new taxes, jumping on yesterday's interview on WNYC in which the governor floated the idea of a soda tax.

The governor backed away from the soda tax at today's meeting, saying the state wouldn't collect the taxes in time to meet payments in mid-December to schools, municipalities and others.

Paterson also shot down a recommendation from Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, R—Canandaigua, that the state dip into its rainy day fund.

Paterson’s approval ratings haven’t improved

The Siena Research Institute just released a poll showing that 27 percent of those surveyed in a recent poll have a favorable opinion of Gov. David A. Paterson, which is a small decline from last month’s approval rating at 29 percent.

Paterson’s job performance rating is even lower, at 19 percent.

Also, 72 percent of those surveyed would prefer “someone else” to be elected over Paterson. Those surveyed indicate a large preference of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo over Paterson in a hypothetical Democratic primary, respectively at 70 percent to 20 percent.

“By every measure, voters continue to keep Governor Paterson in the electoral cellar, and by every measure, Paterson’s numbers are within a handful of points or less of his all- time record lows,” said Siena New York pollster Steven Greenberg in a prepared statement. “It is now nine consecutive months of a favorable rating below 40 percent and eight consecutive months of a job approval rating below 25 percent."

Blame for the budget deficit from those surveyed went mostly to Democrats in the Legislature, with 19 percent blaming Democrats who control the Senate, 14 percent blaming Democrats who control the Assembly and 8 percent said it was both houses of the Legislature.

Although, 20 percent of those surveyed blamed the Legislature and Paterson.

"Clearly, there's blame for everyone involved," said Greenberg.

The poll was conducted Oct. 14 to 18 through phone calls to 624 registered voters and has a 3.9 percentage point margin of error.