All the money will be going to the pension enhancements you voted for, the debts you voted for. And retired public employees, which hopefully you will be soon enough, will continue to pay no taxes on their incomes.

You've done deeds -- subsequent words merely add insult to injury. We will be living in the world you and others like you arranged for some time -- even after the downturn is over. The last thing I want to hear is members of the New York State Legislature whining about how terrible it is that taxes are going up, services are being cut, benefits are being reduced, wages and benefits for future public employees reduced. Even as the interests that have kept all of you in office give back nothing and probably grab even more.

Senator Diaz should be commended for taking the time to make sure his official voice is heard on blogs like Room Eight. However, he and his colleagues are employing the same old tactics used by irresponsible legislators all over New York.

Instead of facing NY's budget deficits in a serious way, state legislators are either foolishly ignoring the problem or, like Senator Diaz, resorting to worn out statements about "balancing the budget on the backs" of [insert your special interest here]. Now add to this the Senate Democrats' setting a new record for ineptitude (inability to lead their Chamber, Pedro Espada, Hiram Monserrate, poorly timed trips to China, failure to adopt any meaningful legislation, etc.,).

Political pundits have uniformly interpreted this year's electoral results as the voters being in a bad mood. The stage is set for a strong Republican showing in 2010 if the State GOP can get its act together. Giuliani/Lazio vs. Paterson/Cuomo, Pataki vs. Gillibrand would just be the beginning. Third party and other insurgents (especially those who lost in Council races this year) might think about running against Democratic officeholders in Democratic primaries on an anti-incumbent theme. Golisano could help to make mischief if he so desired.

And no matter the outcome, the Democrats would have no one to blame but themselves. 

Unlike earlier comments expressed here, I'd like to thank Senator Diaz for standing up for our children - our future - and preventing cuts from education.

What is wrong with the Governor or the other Senators that they are not jumping at any suggestions about how to fill the budget gap?  If Senator Diaz's proposals are possible, why not pass them ASAP?

And thank you Senator Diaz for reminidng everyone about who said yeah yeah sure sure at the recent Senate Finance Committee hearing and then watch what they say when the budget comes up for a real vote.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

The Governor isn't making the cuts - the system leaves us no choice - they have milked the cash cow until the cow ran dry.

Reform from within - and it has nothing to do with who suffers the most when it comes to our children.

An Inspector General quwstioned 16 million in spending on a college campus and was terminated, the general coucil of a college questioned spending by executive members and was terminated, the bumper/rubber/yak rooms we pay for should be closed, wasteful spending is still there and accountabilty taboo on campus, so if you do that first, we probably will not have to cut anyone.  Reform first - long overdue.

VTY

Robert Stein

Jersey shoreline comes to 8 roommate because they be transferred to the summer show jordan shoes sale, every thing seashore levels, hats, nike shox shoes which are very popular to enjoy summer warm places, offers cheap puma shoes. Jacket shoreline shows sometimes surprising, nike outlet online often amusing and juggle generally over-the-top personas, because they work jordan shoes outlet, worship, night life, camaraderie and the crisis developed. Ultimately, audience, observe gucci outlet there much more to these types of sunscreen and lovers people compared to prada outlet online castles Carbamide Peroxide gel. Within a period of two, the actual roommate of the actual party consider to in Ohio.