Thursday’s Briefing: The Reviews Are In

by Contributor | July 31, 2008 2:46 pm

Governor David Paterson took a bold step this week.  He declared the state to be in a recession, with its budget falling deeper into a dark pit of debt.  He challenged — nicely — state lawmakers to match the cuts he was making.  How’s his message going over?

So the Governor’s plan is out[1].

There’s praise — cautious, but praise nonetheless[2] — from the two other members of Three Men In A Room.

One of them, though, still wants higher taxes to fill the debt hole[3].

My Head Is Exploding Dep’t: Did you ever think the state Conservative Party would endorse a move[4] from a Democratic governor?

Opinions Are Like Noses – Everybody’s Got One:

Fiscal analyst E.J. McMahon studies the numbers[5] and offers a backhanded compliment:

“Paterson, by contrast, has been willing to recognize that the state’s own spending habits are the root of the problem. Talk is still cheap at this stage, but it’s better than nothing.”

The New York Times:  Nice talk, but…[6]

“…if the new governor really wants to put the state’s fiscal house in order, he is going to have to get a lot tougher with his old friends in Albany.”

Newsday finds the Gov. taking charge[7]:

Gov. David Paterson was sworn in in March, but Tuesday evening he truly became the governor of New York. With his live, televised address about the poor state of the state’s finances – and subsequent talk to state agencies Wednesday – Paterson demonstrated leadership and originality in trying to head off a bigger crisis. Whether New York’s band of the self-interested will follow remains to be seen.

State workers, some of whom may lose their jobs[8]:

“I think you gotta spend money to make money,” [one worker] said. ” … The drastic cuts he’s talking about — in the long run, you’re selling yourself short.”

Last Word Dep’t:

• Paterson’s cuts haven’t hit home — his work home — yet[9].

Other News Of The Day:

• AG Cuomo gets more internet providers to shut down[10] kiddie porn.
• Did your local school apply for Excel aid to do building renovations?  The check’s not in the mail, and likely won’t be for a long while[11].
• Tom Golisano’s about to tell folks what they have to do to get his campaign cash[12].
• Make yourself angry:  Track government spending here[13].

Department Of Health:

• Heading to the beach?  Pack the sunscreen, Frisbee and soda.  Oh, and check this website to see if pollution’s a problem[14]. (No beaches in Oswego or Jefferson counties reported being closed because of water quality problems, and Cayuga County’s Fair Haven Beach State Park beach was closed for one day in 2007 for a bacteria problem.  Party on!)
• A cancer-mapping plan may not survive[15].
• Gender inequality in cancer screening[16].

And Finally:

• You know, when I’m really thirsty, nothing satisfies like a big swig of eel juice[17].
• And that’s not even the weirdest thing they drink in Japan.  Bilk, anyone?[18]

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/editors-desk/thursdays-briefing-the-reviews-are-in/

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