Gov. David Paterson proposes $5 billion in cuts to the state budget. (AP)By Heather Grossmann
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
The mayoral race went from contentious to belligerent last night, with candidates Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Comptroller William Thompson battling it out for stewardship over City Hall for the next four years.
Thompson drew first blood at the El Museo del Barrio, in Spanish Harlem, using his opening statement to attack the mayor for his campaign spending—$65 million as of the last filing—and berating him for his role in overturning term limits.
Bloomberg fought back on Thompson’s education record, saying that his work as president of the Board or Education was tantamount to rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic, and accusing Thompson of participating in the pay-to-play pension fund scandal.
e type of leadership New Yorkers deserve from their public officials.”Long-term reforms to the Tier V pension plan, which benefits newly hired state employees, are included in the governor’s plan.
Additional cuts include $287 million to Medicaid and $10 million from the Environmental Protection Fund. Paterson is also requesting $326 million from the Battery Park City Authority, a move he tried and failed to make last February.
“Waiting for the economy to recover is not the answer,” DiNapoli said in a statement after the governor’s announcement. “The Legislature needs to work with the Governor to get the state’s perilous finances back on track and protect the interests of taxpayers.”
Paterson hopes to convene the State Senate and Assembly on Oct. 27 to vote on the proposed cuts.
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