What to expect in Paterson's budget

ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) - Governor David Paterson releases his so-called "bad news budget." The spending plan could take an even bigger hit on your wallet.

Paterson said, "This is not a budget of choice this is a budget of necessity."

Governor Paterson's budget plan calls for a new tax on soft drinks, a penny an ounce, or 12 cents a can, and 68 cents for each two liter. It also calls for another dollar tax on a pack of cigarettes.

Patrick Allard, a smoker, said, ""Well, I think it's ridiculous. I'm already paying over $8 a pack."

The governor says if the taxes eventually get people to smoke less or drink less fattening pop, state health costs will go down. Some don't mind the idea.

Kenmore resident Anne Maloy said, "Being a teacher or future teacher, I don't want to see the money come from education."

The budget plan would still cut overall education aid by five percent, but for the SUNY schools, the governor proposes giving the system more freedom to raise tuition on its own without state lawmakers making that decision. The SUNY Board would have the freedom to raise tuition up to about six percent each year.

UB's President Dr. John Simpson said, ""I think if the tuition will go up, it will go up in a way which is transparent and understood by our students."

But the changes would also give Universities like UB more freedom to enter into more public-private partnerships, like the one to build a new medical building with Kaleida without having to go through a special act of the legislature.

"He understands that the better the university, the more impact it has on the local and statewide economy," said Simpson.