Politics on the Hudson

Saying the “state of our state is perilous,” Gov. David Paterson today proposed efforts to increase clean energy in New York, tackle childhood obesity and remain committed to reviving the upstate economy.

But with the state facing a $15.4 billion budget gap, Paterson’s proposals in the State of the State address were modest, and Paterson offered few major new state funding commitments.

Paterson will give the nearly hour-long address to a joint session of the state Legislature at 1 p.m.

“New York faces an historic economic challenge, the gravest in nearly a century,” Paterson said in remarks prepared for delivery.

Yet Paterson said that despite the difficult times, the state has an opportunity to face the challenges, saying “we in government need the courage to balance our budget as well as our priorities. We need the courage to sacrifice for the future, but this must be a shared sacrifice.”
The address comes after Paterson released a $121 billion budget proposal last month for the 2009-10 fiscal year, so many of Paterson’s initiatives for the year have already been laid out. Typically, the governor gives the State of the State address in early January, then the budget is presented in late January.

But Paterson proposed the budget early in hopes of getting lawmakers to agree to more than $9 billion in cuts, mainly to health care and education, before the April 1 deadline.

Still, Paterson offered some new ideas on how to improve the state in the challenging economic environment.

They include:—An energy plan to have New York by 2015 have 45 percent of its electricity produced through energy efficient and renewable energy measures.—A Healthy Food/Healthy Communities Initiative that will include a five-point plan to address childhood obesity, such as a state loan program to encourage healthy foods sold in urban areas.—A commitment to complete infrastructure projects, including the Tappan Zee Bridge renovations and improvements to the Peace Bridge in Buffalo.—A Higher Education Loan Program that will provide $350 million in affordable loans for college students. The measure was included in Paterson’s budget, which also calls for tuition increases at state colleges and universities.—A reaffirmation to continue an Upstate Revitalization Fund, which invests in development projects in the region.—A proposal to expand health insurance for family members up to age 29 through private insurers.—An expansion of Operation Impact, a crime-prevention program, to all upstate cities. It is currently in 17 counties.

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