Cuomo slashes spending and freezes taxes in New York budget

[The Northerner]

ALBANY, New York (Reuters) – New York Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed a radical state budget on Tuesday that would lay off nearly 10,000 state workers and cut billions from education and Medicaid programs to eliminate a $10 billion deficit.

The Democratic governor also proposed no new or increased taxes in the $132.9 billion budget plan, which would shrink the current budget ending March 31 by 2.7 percent.

The Cuomo budget, which requires legislative approval, breaks a recent tradition of annual spending increases, which could strengthen his position with the Republican-controlled Senate. The Democratic-controlled Assembly, however, might reject the spending cuts.

The budget plan also could enhance Cuomo's standing as a fiscal conservative nationally at a time when growing deficits and dwindling tax receipts are affecting states and cities across the country.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110201/us_nm/us_newyork_budget

[aquart]

1. Gumdrops. Layoffs instead of necessary taxes on uberrich.

Bleh.