By Albany, NY
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-806797.mp3
Mark Scott – Governor David Paterson is proposing a $121 billion state budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. The spending plan includes some layoffs and a cut in school aid.
Paterson's proposal to the Legislature would fill $15.4 billion in deficits over two years. He presented the budget a month early to try to deal with what he calls a historic fiscal crisis in the state.
As expected, the Governor's proposal includes significant cuts in health and education. Paterson wants to cut school aid by about $700 million. A Buffalo School District tells WBFO News the potential budget cuts are "disastrous." The district is now assessing how much it would stand to lose if the Governor's budget is approved. The district says "everything is on the table" when it comes to cuts.
The budget eliminates the sales tax exemption on clothing and footwear purchases under $110. And revenue sharing with most of the state's cities, towns and villages would remain flat, though Buffalo would see its state aid cut by $1.3 million.
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