Story Created:
Aug 18, 2008 at 7:29 PM EST
Story Updated:
Aug 18, 2008 at 7:29 PM EST
ALBANY - A big day in Albany Tuesday as the legislature prepares to make some major cuts to the state budget.
In early April the state budget was approved with a $121 billion spending plan. Four months later, the legislature is preparing to once again make some major adjustments.
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has said that the state budget is imbalanced and Tuesday's unusual special session is aimed at cutting $1.2 billion out of this years budget.
About half of that will come from state agencies and the rest, about $620 million, rests on the shoulders of the legislature. Both houses will have to review the governor's suggestions but in the end some major adjustments will have to be made.
Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito says she is most concerned about the effects to the healthcare industry. The hospitals and home healthcare providers in our region may see some of the biggest cuts in spending. She went on to say that she does not expect any major job cuts. You might remember that the Governor has already imposed a hiring freeze on all state jobs.
Area leaders say this is a country-wide problem but New York needs to cut spending now to be better prepared for the future.
"This is unusual. I think the national economy, what's going on on Wall Street is not only impacting the rest of the country but it has hit home," Destito said.
"In the end, we need to get a handle on spending. I mean, that is the problem right now," added Senator Joseph Griffo.
One of the last sessions of this kind was shortly after the 9/11 attacks. The legislature is expected to be in session by noon Tuesday.
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