New York's Budget Targets the Golden Eggs

David Paterson's New York Budget Fails to Deliver Fiscal Responsibility - WSJ.com

Gov. Paterson came into office with a different attitude.

After a strong rhetorical start, the governor failed to deliver a budget tailored to the new fiscal realities he had preached. While the Albany Times Union on Dec. 16 quoted a gubernatorial aide predicting an "aggressive set of cuts" that would leave "blood in the streets," Mr. Paterson's December budget proposal called for a 1.1% increase in spending, with little in the way of significant restructuring, consolidation, or downsizing. He called for 137 new or increased taxes, fees and fines totaling $4.1 billion, hitting energy bills and health care as well as consumer items.