NYBri asks the Tough Questions

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Friday January 16, 2009 · 9:12 AM PST

2009/01/16 · 09:12

I want to take a moment to thank the members of the Daily Kos community for the comments, encouragement, and ideas that you have shared with me in the few short months since I began participating on this site. I've felt the appreciation, taken some heat, and, as a result, I am starting to feel like a real blogger.

Your comments and thoughts help give me, and my staff, a sense of what's really going on in your lives, and I'm thankful to everyone who has written both via the website and in the diary comments. They have been immensely helpful.

Unfortunately, my demanding schedule doesn't allow me to spend the time that I'd like to responding to the many, many comments that I receive through my website and on my diaries (though I do try to do my best). But we're facing some tough times and we've got big questions that need answers, so I wanted to try to do a little more to address the comments and questions that users of this community have had.

Governor David A Paterson

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Monday December 29, 2008 · 1:44 PM PST

2008/12/29 · 13:44

When I first came to this community, I wanted to join the conversation and I asked everyone to tell me their thoughts about New York and the nation. I have received a lot of kind words and they are always appreciated.

Since I proposed my budget plan, I have heard many not so kind words, but I respect that we are having this important back and forth, and will not stop coming here to listen and report.

Now to the budget.

In my last diary I quoted what I had written in a New York Post editorial about the problem that we face:

The collapse on Wall Street has opened a $1.5 billion gash in our budget for the current fiscal year, a $12.5 billion gaping hole for next year and an unbelievable $47 billion gap over the next four years.

Since I wrote that, the number has grown to $51 billion. Think about that $51 billion number for a second. It is an astounding number. To close that gap, we need to take some painful measures. No one can argue that fact. The debate has been and will be about where the pain will be felt and how it can best set us up for recovery. After all, we don't want to sacrifice without it eventually doing some good.

Governor David A Paterson

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Thursday December 11, 2008 · 2:16 PM PST

2008/12/11 · 14:16

In the comment section of my last diary, Let me Re-Introduce Myself. I am David Paterson and I am the Governor of New York State, commenter tung sol made the following observation about visiting Daily Kos:

governor paterson...
just remember that you'll be getting an earful here, both good and bad. we're not shy and hopefully you won't be either... as a fellow new yorker i'm rooting for you and the great state of new york.

tung sol was right...and I should add that after reading all 539 comments, this community isn't short of ideas and opinions.

First, let me say, it is heartening to see such passion for and knowledge of policy and politics. I also want to thank everyone for their welcomes and best wishes. It is good to be here.

Governor David A Paterson

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Thursday November 13, 2008 · 1:27 PM PST

2008/11/13 · 13:27

Let me re-introduce Myself. I am David Paterson, and I am the Governor of New York State.

Earlier this year, on March 17th, I used those words to conclude my address to the people of New York after I was sworn in as Governor. And though I was well known to the audience gathered in the hall that afternoon, I wanted everyone to know that we had work to do and that I was unafraid of stepping forward, rolling up my sleeves and getting to the task at hand.

To this community, however, I am not as well known. Now that the historic election of 2008 is over, I am coming here to begin what I hope will be a constructive conversation about the direction of New York and our nation.

Governor David A Paterson

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Wednesday November 05, 2008 · 11:50 AM PST

2008/11/05 · 11:50

I suspect that by the time that you're reading this, you've heard the word historic used more times than you can count.

I'd like to use it once more, but perhaps not for the reason that you might think.

The election of Barack Obama as our 44th president was not just historic for reasons of race, voter turnout, or even for the overwhelming and indisputable rejection of a conservative ideology that for eight long years has led America down a path of fiscal recklessness, social division, and increasing instability both at home and abroad.

The election was, of course, all of those things; but, to me, Barack Obama's win was historic for an entirely different reason.

Last night, Americans rejected the politics of cheap rhetoric, distracting attacks, and exclusionary patriotism in favor of honest discussion, clear priorities, and a dedication to finding real solutions.

That is truly historic.

Governor David A Paterson

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Friday May 30, 2008 · 10:23 AM PDT

2008/05/30 · 10:23

Yesterday I discussed some of the steps that my administration has taken to protect the rights of married couples. A clip from that news conference is below.

For decades, New York has had laws on the books designed to protect the rights of couples who were legally married in states and jurisdictions other than New York. I believe, and our courts strenuously agree, that those laws are meant to protect all legal marriages, including unions involving same-sex couples.

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NYBri asks the Tough Questions

My Initial Budget. The Start of a Long Process.

tung sol was right.

Let me Re-Introduce Myself. I am David Paterson and I am the Governor of New York State. UPDATED

Historic, For All The Right Reasons

Protecting the Rights of Married Couples