Cuts impacting health care and schools

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Governor David Paterson wants to cut spending by five billion dollars to attack projected state deficits over the next two years.

Paterson said, "It is pain that is indescribable."

The pain of the Governor's proposed cuts would deepen the wounds to the state's health care systems and schools, which constitute over half of the state's budget.

"We have cut education by only 4 1/2%, rather than the 10% we're imposing on other agencies and we will not engage in any health care cuts that will affect anyone who is currently on Medicaid," explained Paterson.

Students at Buffalo State College, already hit by a tuition hike last year, say the Governor's proposed $90 million dollar mid year cut to SUNY fills them with uncertainty.

Buffalo State Student, Justina Potenzo said, "We'll, we don't know if the school is going to implement a tuition hike. That's something they could do. Otherwise, they could cut courses and they could, ya know, make larger classes."

The Buffalo School District also wants answers.

It built up a rainy day fund but hopes it doesn't have to dip into it.

Rich Newberg asked, "They have a $34 million dollar rainy day fund. Do you think they will have to dip into that?"

"I think if there is a reserve fund and it helps them to get through this period, that will be certainly enough to cover the deficit that they would have now," replied Paterson.

Governor Paterson expects to come under harsh criticism but says he's prepared.

"I expect that and I am sensitive to that. Let's just remember, New York was ground zero of this deficit that's being felt all over the country," Paterson exclaimed.

The Buffalo School District has already used $5 1/2 million dollars of its reserve fund to cover a deficit this year.