Fired up WNYers to protest in Albany

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Western New Yorkers angry about the budget are on their way to Albany to take on lawmakers.

Protesters in Buffalo say they are going to the state capitol indefinitely or until police start making arrests.

"We are coming down in full force to let them know that we are going to stop this in any way possible," said Julie Boody of Citizen Action.

Fired up protesters headed to Albany say they are going to hold "Wisconsin style" demonstrations in the state capitol.

Boody said, "We do not intend on leaving anytime soon once we are there."

Protesters like Boody say they are targeting proposed budget cuts to education and health services.

Governor Andrew Cuomo says the $132 billion spending plan will eliminate the states $10 billion deficit, and trim spending by two percent across the board, all without raising taxes.

News 4 said to Boody, "He called it a people's budget, he said he got his ideas from people like you."

Boody responded, "That's hilarious. This budget is not a working families, is not a people budget at all, these cuts are going to devastate children across the state as far as education."

Cuomo says the proposed budget would give $272 million back to schools.

But protesters say that's not enough.

Boody said, "That's great that he put that back in the budget but 270 million compared to 1.3 billion in cuts to education still hurts just as hard."

"Were looking at losses of teachers, were looking at losses of programs, were looking at losses of programs, were looking at losses of cafeteria workers, janitors, part time workers," Boody explained.

State police in Albany say they're aware of the demonstrations, but wouldn't comment on how they are going to respond.

The budget deadline is on Friday and Governor Cuomo says he's confident the budget will be passed on time.