Paterson holds off distributing millions in pork-barrel spending
May 15, 2008
Gov. David Paterson suggested Wednesday he may not allocate millions of dollars designated for capital projects around the state as a way to save money during the state’s tough fiscal times.
Paterson is sitting on more than $30 million in so-called member-item spending, also called pork spending, and about $500 million for capital projects across New York. But he has yet to designate all of the money for specific initiatives, and said he is weighing whether to do so.
“One of the reasons I didn’t jump at distributing capital money is because of the value of it,” he said. “We are running out of money.”
Asked by reporters whether he may decide not to spend some of the money, Patterson said, “that’s certainly an option.” He has warned the state faces a $20 billion budget gap over the next three years.
Aides said that Paterson plans to continue to fund projects pledged by former Gov. Eliot Spitzer.
Of the governor’s $500 million pot, about $150 million has already been committed for projects around the state.
While Paterson expressed apprehension, state lawmakers do not seem as concerned.
The state Assembly released a list of its projects last month, listing about $244 million in spending. Each house has $350 million in discretionary money for capital projects; Paterson gets about $500 million, according to state budget officials.
The Assembly’s spending includes $15 million for the Center of Excellence at SUNY Binghamton.
The state Senate this week listed about $218 million in capital projects, including $4 million for the Greater Binghamton Health Center and $10 million for the Golisano Institute of Sustainability at the Rochester Institute of Technology. The spending is part of $1.2 billion that lawmakers approved borrowing last month in the 2008-09 state budget.
Lawmakers defended the spending, saying the money will inject life into the state’s economy, especially in upstate areas.
Source: PressconnectsÂ
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