The Empire Page

New York’s economy is on life support, and there is a state budget to be negotiated…and, oh by the way, revenues are projected to fall short by more than $8 billion. But some people are focusing on the question as to whether David Paterson, now that he’s dropped out of the governor’s race, should resign. Won’t that delay another who knows how long the work that needs to get done?

Perhaps our court-approved Lt. Gov. (Richard Ravitch) would be able to do a better job than Mr. Paterson in leading budget negotiations with the Legislature. If Paterson is unable to put his mind to the task at hand, then he should resign; but if he can put aside his personal situation and focus on the situation facing 18 million New Yorkers, then let’s get to it.

Kudos to those editorial boards across the state that are focused on the budget rather than the politics of the matter, namely:

The Poughkeepsie Journal: N.Y. leaders must open up budget process and

The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle: New York’s fiscal woes should motivate lawmakers.

David Paterson’s legacy will not be as a multi-term governor. At best history will say that he helped NYS out of a tough situation by being TOUGH with the state legislature in his last year in office. He talked the talk, but failed to walk the walk in 2008 and 2009. Let’s hope he’s up for the job in 2010.