NY State Leaders Square Off Over Emergency Spending Bills

Governor David Paterson threatened to cut funding to human services and mental health in the next emergency spending bill, if a budget is not passed by the end of the week. His announcement sparked bickering between party leaders.

Facing a more than $9 billion deficit, perhaps as much as $10 billion, he said he was left with no other option.

Paterson says a final spending bill would pass much sooner if the threats and arguments came to an end.

"There are a couple of legislators who it seems every time about this time of year, we find out how sui generis and how disingenuous there are and I'm not gonna respond to any threats, any thug activity,” said Paterson. “I'm not gonna respond to any kind of blackmail in that respect."

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the city schools chancellor and union representatives were also in the halls of the state capitol Wednesday.

They say education cuts will have devastating effects on the city's schools.

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