DiNapoli Fires Back: Let Ravitch Handle Budget

Posted by: Joseph Spector - Posted in Uncategorized on Feb 26, 2010

Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli earlier this week refrained from knocking Gov. David Paterson after a Paterson spokesman ripped DiNapoli and questioned his handling of the state pension fund.

But DiNapoli, a fellow Democrat, took the gloves off this afternoon, saying that Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch should handle the budget negotiations, not the embattled governor.

“The Governor has made a wise choice to end his election campaign. Now he needs to make another wise choice and designate Lieutenant Governor Ravitch to negotiate the budget with the Legislature,” DiNapoli said in a statement.

“The circumstances are difficult and the budget clock is ticking. New Yorkers can’t afford a government distracted during these rough economic times. “Lieutenant Governor Ravitch has the integrity and experience to negotiate what will be a very difficult budget. I’ve already had a number of discussions with the Lieutenant Governor about the state budget. Now my office is prepared to take the next step.”

New York City Comptroller John Liu echoed DiNapoli’s call for Ravitch, but took it one step further: Paterson should step down in favor of “Governor Ravitch.”

“We have a $4.1 billion budget deficit to grapple with in New York City and cannot make real progress until the State budget is resolved on time one month from now, ” Liu said.

“In order for this to happen, we need Governor Paterson to step down now.

“Richard Ravitch has an abundance of integrity, experience and creativity. As governor, Richard Ravitch would be the person most able to steer clear of politics, bring people together, and bring about a balanced, on-time state budget.

“I have stood by my friend and Gov. David Paterson until today. David Paterson is a fighter whose commitment to the overall well-being of New Yorkers is without doubt, and deserves our thanks for his service. Given New York’s precarious fiscal situation and the investigation involving the Governor, even if self-imposed, New York should move forward under Governor Ravitch.”