Pataki remains optimistic

By CHRIS CONROY

ALBANY, NY — Despite recent economic hard knocks, Governor George Pataki struck an optimistic note in his January 8 State of the State address.

Pataki said his policies would create jobs and overcome the multimillion dollar deficit the state was facing. While hard numbers still have not been released, the deficit is estimated at $2 to $3 billion this year and is projected as high as $10 billion next year.

The governor said that he would raise $4 billion by issuing bonds, supported by the tobacco settlement fund, and would save a few more millions by cutting spending in every state agency except public security.

He further said that the tax cuts that were planned for this year would be put into effect, vowing to maintain New York’s eight-year record as the tax-cutting state of the nation.

If job cuts had to be made, he promised to work with the unions in carrying those cuts out.

Pataki also indicated that he would privatize certain state assets, like sheltered mental hospitals and sell surplus land.

Pataki urged legislators not to raise “job-killing” taxes and called for the reform of the harsh Rockefeller drug laws.

Pataki honored those who died at the World Trade Center and called the creation of a memorial “a duty of the highest order.”