Governor David Paterson has launched a new website -- www.ReduceNYSpending.gov -- in order to "lead the public in a discussion about how to control unsustainable growth in the size of New York's budget."

"With the State facing significant budget deficits and a struggling economy, New Yorkers deserve a frank and honest discussion about the need for greater fiscal responsibility in State government," said Paterson. "As we work to confront this crisis, I will continue to take my message of fiscal responsibility directly to the people."

The website features:

• Information on New York's fiscal condition and the Governor's initiatives to control State spending;
• A section for New Yorkers to submit potential savings ideas, their input about the State's spending priorities, or any other comments about the budget process;
• A calculator that allows the public to create their own proposal to balance next year's budget, thereby "demonstrating the difficult tradeoffs necessary when closing a $12.5 billion deficit."

Unfortunately, the website's budget calculator only offers an opportunity to compare the potential impacts on the state budget of spending reductions and not potential increased revenues which could come from adjustments in tax policies.

"We didn't include tax increases because Governor Paterson has said the first priority should be seeking spending reductions," said Jeffrey Gordon, a spokesperson for the Division of the Budget.

One real life example of these "difficult tradeoffs" was highlighted in a New York Times report today that the State "will curtail its substance abuse programs for ex-convicts living in New York City and its suburbs by month's end, despite research indicating that such programs help reduce recidivism... about 2,700 parolees participated in the programs over the last year."

Governor Paterson has called for a special session of the Legislature to convene on November 18 to address the State's $1.5 billion current-year shortfall. Additionally, he will submit his 2009-10 Executive Budget more than one month early, on December 16, 2008, at which time he is seeking to cut the budget by almost 25%.