Paterson calls for action on deficit, gay marriage

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November 9, 2009

By MICHAEL GORMLEY The Press Republican Mon Nov 09, 2009, 04:04 PM EST

ALBANY— Gov. David Paterson has urged lawmakers to use their power to tackle the state's $3.2 billion budget deficit and give final approval to a same-sex marriage bill when they convene in a special session Tuesday.

In a rare midyear address to a joint meeting of the Assembly and Senate, he warned lawmakers that unless immediate action is taken, the state's finances and cash flow will be affected in less than five weeks.

But the Democrat-led Senate has been opposing his proposal, pitching its own plan to avoid what the conference calls painful cuts. The powerful health care lobby praised the ideas as innovative, but Paterson's budget office called them gimmicky.

The special session is planned to enact any cuts and possibly consider other measures, including same-sex marriage.