"The budget created by Gov. Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith is a monstrously bloated, tax-and-spend plan that, in one fell swoop, reverses a three-decade-long effort to strengthen business and prevent taxpayers from fleeing the state." The quote is from Fred Dicker's column and well worth reading. http://www.nypost.com/seven/03312009/news/columnists/setting_ny_back_30_yrs__162152.htm

The number of articles slamming the state budget "negotiated" by the "leaders" are unprecedented; even editorials that never agree with us are writing how this budget is out of touch with the reality of today's economic picture.

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/03/31/2009-03-31_rotten_sausage_paterson_silver_and_smith.html

http://www.buffalonews.com/opinion/editorials/story/621642.html

From the New York Times (article by Nicholas Confessore) "The process was so opaque that even veteran lobbyists and interest groups did not know exactly what would emerge when the budget proposal began printing late on Saturday night. Many were still sorting through the bills on Monday morning and discovering previously unknown cuts and fees. Neither the Senate nor the Assembly produced their own budget proposals, as was standard in past years, and even most lawmakers were kept in the dark.

Also in the New York Times (article by Danny Hakim) "Mr. Silver, the powerful and cagey Assembly speaker, achieved what he wanted in the budget that emerged from the shadows of the statehouse this weekend, cementing his newfound role as the capital’s center of gravity.
He won the policy fight, forcing Gov. David A. Paterson to raise taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers, an idea that the governor decried as potentially disastrous three weeks ago. The $131.8 billion budget, which could hardly be called austere, is largely a reflection of the liberal tilt of Mr. Silver, and the Assembly’s predilection for big spending on social programs, no matter the economic climate. "

The New York Post writes "The spending plan picks the pockets of the private sector to the tune of $8 billion in new taxes and fees -- while the unions barely get a haircut. " Read more here:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03312009/postopinion/editorials/labors_big_payday_162112.htm

More worthwhile articles on the budget:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03312009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/the_wfp_octopus_162094.htm

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03312009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/losers_to_winners_162100.htm

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/state_of_shame/2009/03/31/2009-03-31_new_york_state_law_makes_play_hide_the_p-1.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/state_of_shame/2009/03/30/2009-03-30_new_york_state_democrats_cheer_as_rest_o.html


One final article for today on the state budget http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/columnists/hammond/index.html

More tomorrow, until then put your wallet in a safe place if you can find one in New York State!