Paterson calls for major budget cuts

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y (WIVB) - New Yorkers are going to have to weather quite a storm in the year ahead. Governor David Paterson delivered his State of the State address Wednesday and once again called for major budget cuts.

But, Paterson is still promising to make major investments in western New York.

When Governor Paterson delivered his State of the State, he referred to western New York several times. And he made it clear that he stands behind significant investments in the region.

Paterson (D-New York) said, "Projects that we think are significant to invest in such as the area that surrounds the tourism at Niagara Falls, and biotech in Buffalo."

The University at Buffalo plays a major role in the biotech field. Its 2020 plan aims to make it a premier research institution in the country.

Marsha Henderson says the governor's support is encouraging news when you consider how research in the bioscience field can change lives.

Marsha Henderson (UB, Vice President of External Affairs) said, "It's improving the way in which we do pharmaceuticals, it's improving the way in which we cure diseases and it's improving the way in which we find medications."

The mayor of Niagara Falls was in the audience during the governor's address. He tells News 4 significant projects are already underway that would help enhance tourism in the destination city.

Mayor Paul Dyster said, "One of them is Niagara Experience Center which is the thing we've lacked throughout the last generation in downtown Niagara Falls that is a family attraction."

"We're also of course you know, working on relocating our train station to a site at the Whirlpool Bridge where there's a Civil War era building."

Governor Paterson also mentioned the region's manufacturing base.

He'd like to one day see it contribute to the development of a rechargeable battery for cars that would help save money on gas.

Despite the support from Governor Paterson, the state still faces a 15 billion dollar budget deficit over the next two years and the governor says the state will need to make deep and painful cuts everywhere.