Paterson:"consolidation" may be needed for upstate amid recession

By By DAVE DELLECESE

Story Created: Jan 8, 2009 at 11:55 AM EST

Story Updated: Jan 8, 2009 at 12:53 PM EST

ALBANY, N.Y. (WKTV) - As Governor Paterson delivered his first State of the State address Wednesday, he stressed a need for all to spend more effectively - and that could mean consolidation for upstate New York.

Paterson called for "shared sacrifice" to deliver a future where everyone has access to health care, excellent education and a good job and will breathe clean air and use clean energy.

Paterson noted that New York entered a recession in August. He's
already proposed a $121.1 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, up 1.1%. That includes layoffs, a cut in school aid and 88 new or higher fees.

In his speech Wednesday, Governor Paterson said the state has an historic economic challenge ahead of it, and that since the state can not spend more, it has to start spending more effectively.

When asked his thoughts on how Upstate New York could spend more effectively, he said "consolidation" was the key.

"I think consolidation of local governments - there are a number of different services," Paterson said. "We have too many taxation districts, too many school districts. We need to start thinking about combining some of those services."

Governor Paterson also mentioned police departments as an area he says he felt could be combined in smaller areas to accomplish more with less.
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