ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. David Paterson’s first State of the State was a pep talk for lawmakers and voters to persevere through tough fiscal times he insisted were only temporary.
“We must sacrifice what we want today so that we can pay for what we need tomorrow,” Paterson said. “But this must be a shared sacrifice — we must all share the pain. And we should always keep our eyes on our brighter future.”
After months of alerting all who would listen that the state’s economic woes were serious, Paterson took the opportunity Wednesday to make a tempered encouragement. Hailing the state’s strong work force, university system, research science and trademark New York confidence, Paterson said the state is well-equipped to emerge from the global financial meltdown.
“We knew the bad news,” said Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, a Long Island Democrat. He noted Paterson delivered his $121.1 billion budget proposal in December — a month early — full of spending cuts and tax and fee increases to combat an estimated $15 billion deficit over two years. Usually, the State of the State speech comes before the budget presentation.
“It was a challenge, now, to do the inspirational part,” DiNapoli said. “I think he was successful.”
The governor revealed a few of his top priorities including accessible and lower cost college loans, steering more drug offenders to treatment instead of long mandatory prison terms, and a property tax cap.
“It was certainly a sobering, yet uplifting message,” said Assembly Speaker Sheldon, a Manhattan Democrat. “There’s no escaping the harsh reality that balancing the budget will require tough cuts, tough choices.”
Paterson introduced a plan to combat childhood obesity that would ban trans fats in restaurants and junk food sales in schools. He also wants the Legislature to agree to require chain restaurants statewide to post calorie content, and a revolving loan fund to get healthy food markets in poor communities.
“It’s prevention — or at least very early on solving a problem before it becomes an established life problem,” said Dr. Richard Daines, the commissioner of the state Department of Health.
Paterson also proposed establishing an upstate research consortium to develop hybrid electric batteries and energy storage technologies as part of an attempt to return manufacturing jobs to New York.
“The future of America’s energy and transportation policies rest on the development of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles,” Paterson said. “The state that positions itself in this market will revitalize its economy for years to come.”
He set a statewide goal of meeting 45 percent of electricity needs by 2015 through improved efficiency and clean renewable energy. Paterson said hitting that goal would create about 50,000 jobs.
Paterson was interrupted by applause — by Democrats and Republicans — nearly 40 times. At the rousing end of his speech, many lawmakers nearly leaped to their feet to give him another standing ovation.
Still, some advocates weren’t impressed that Paterson avoided some issues.
“There’s a disconnect between the speech and the budget, there is a wide gap between what he said about education the cuts he’s called for,” said Billy Easton of the Alliance for Quality Education.
Paterson called for a long-term commitment to education Wednesday, less than a month after his proposal for a 3.3 percent cut to school aid, or $698 million, for the 2009-10 fiscal year.
In a rare, if not unprecedented, move Paterson never mentioned the 6 million acre Adirondack Park, where he plans some funding cuts including in the Environmental Protection Fund that can be used to buy wilderness to protect it from development.
John Sheehan of the Adirondack Council said the park’s absence in the speech is a serious concern.
The lack of mention flies in the face of Paterson’s effort to fight childhood obesity and get kids to be more active, said Paul Ertelt, spokesman for the Adirondack Mountain Club, an environmental group.
Overall, lawmakers were complimentary of Paterson’s speech. He spoke from memory for 63 minutes, citing economic data, scientific theory and historic dates without flaw, impressing even lawmakers who have worked with him for 20 years.
“That young man is absolutely amazing,” Sen. Dale Volker, a 68-year-old Republican from Erie County, said of the 54-year-old Democratic governor in his 10th month in the job. “We can disagree, but I’ve never seen anyone overcome a disability the way he has.”
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Associated Press Writers Michael Gormley and Michael Virtanen contributed to this report from Albany.
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On the Net: http://www.ny.gov/governor/keydocs/speech—0107091.html