Politics on the Hudson

Gov. David Paterson is making his first trip upstate today since taking over as governor Monday.
He’s in Rochester and this morning said he will continue to back Gov. Spitzer’s plan to invest $1 billion in the upstate economy.

Business leaders in upstate also handed Paterson 1,000 signatures of leaders who support the investment fund. The group planned to give the signatures to Spitzer, but his resignation ended that idea.

The endorsement for the $1 billion fund comes as Paterson this  week recommended  an $800 million cut in the state budget because of poor economic times.

“Today’s endorsements demonstrate the bipartisan, statewide desire to revitalize the upstate economy,” Paterson said in a statement. “In tough economic times, we know the future of New York depends on a robust Upstate economy, which offers New Yorkers good jobs, affordable housing, the best education and strong communities.”