David Paterson on Budget & Economy Democratic Governor (NY)

Enforce spending cap, even by constitutional amendment

We have got to find a procedure that cures the spending structure that has infected our budget process for the last 20 years. And the sooner we do that, the more control we will have over spending, not less. For as you may have observed in the past few weeks, the Governor will exercise authority to prevent this State from going into default. You have left me and other Governors no choice. So whether it be by vetoes or delayed spending, I will not write bad checks and we will not mortgage our children's future.

But the Legislature is the body of the people. And the Legislature should have an equal voice in deciding to hold spending in line with the times.