NYS avoids government shutdown, for now

ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) - Some reluctant republicans have saved New York State from a government shutdown, at least for now.

Three state Senate republican lawmakers did the unexpected.

They voted for an emergency spending bill, which means what the governor predicted could happen, won't happen, for now.

Paterson's emergency extender bill passed the democrat-led state Assembly with no problem.

But in the Senate, democrat Ruben Diaz, of the Bronx, broke ranks, by voting against the bill Monday night.

Senate republicans from Saratoga, Schenectady and Long Island helped pass the bill, resulting in a 34-27 vote.

A victory to some who wanted to avoid a government shutdown.

Local republicans see this recent bill as bad.

State Senator George Maziarz said, "I think the governor snuck in here your know, more spending. This actually increases spending, there are not cuts in here. What there are, are cuts of increases. But the bottom line is it still spends more money, about 4% more."

State Senator Dale Volker said, "There are increases in revenue it for welfare. What should be happening is that any extenders should just have cuts."

Originally New York State was facing about a $9.2 billion deficit, lawmakers have been able to cut that by a little over $1 billion. Even still, lawmakers are going back to the table to hash out an actual budget, because there is still no budget. The state has been operating on emergency extender bills for the past ten weeks.