From the Desk of Assemblyman Dave McDonough

           (Editor's Note: Assemblyman McDonough released the following statement in advance of Governor Paterson's annual State of the State Address)

Having recently signed into law a Deficit Reduction Plan which increased the deficit for Fiscal Year 2010-11, Governor Paterson must now stop passing the buck and assume the responsibilities of governor, a title which he inherited almost two years ago.  Throughout his tenure, Governor Paterson has said one thing and then acted in a different manner.

Each new year brings new hope that this year will be different in Albany and that finally Republicans and Democrats, Senators and Assemblymen and all those involved in the legislative process will work together and make the tough choices which have thus far been ignored in favor of short-term stop-gap solutions and band-aid fixes to long-term problems.

The fiscal and economic solutions for New York are not just governmental solutions.  They will require bringing private and public sectors together to address each others needs and produce new ideas to make New York attractive once again to families and businesses. However, unless Governor Paterson's plans include reducing spending in a sensible manner, making the MTA more accountable to New York taxpayers and implementing ways to attract businesses to this state, there is no reason for those listening to have false hope that this year will be different from all the rest.

I have told my constituents that the 2010-11 budget must be the most bare-boned I have ever seen, and, because of that, we must ensure that the state is a good steward of taxpayer money, focusing only on necessary programs that create the biggest benefit for those truly in need.