Schools and nursing homes could take big cuts in state aide

By By JOLEEN FERRIS

Story Created: Jan 19, 2010 at 7:23 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jan 19, 2010 at 7:25 PM EDT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WKTV) - Governor David Paterson is proposing carving one billion dollars each out of healthcare and education, calling his budget proposal a budget of necessity-not choice.

"This is going to be a tough battle for all of us," says Utica School Superintendent James Willis. Utica is looking at a three and a half percent decrease in state aid.

"We either have to look at cutting programs, cutting staff, whatever the case may be we certainly can't raise taxes that much to cover that," says Willis.

Other local school districts could fare worse than Utica; Whitesboro is looking at a possible 11.48% cut in state aid; New Hartford, a 10.72% cut. Adirondack, comparatively mild--roughly 2.48%.

The governor's proposed healthcare cuts could force Masonic Care Community Executive Director William Luley to consider some painful cuts of his own.

"We're looking at every single expenditure that we make on this campus and part of it will be take a look at everybody's job to see if we need to keep every individual we have," says Luley.

The governor's budget proposal is just that; the senate and assembly have to sign off on it before it becomes official.
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

What's On