Hey guys, our first conference call with Gov. Paterson is taking place in about ten minutes. He will be answering questions previously posted here and other internet sources, mainly concerning the NY State budget and other economic questions, as well as some other business concerning NY state.
This call may or may not involve the senate seat, there are no official guidelines to the questions he will be answering.
In the interest of today's events, I apologize for this not being a diary.
I feel it is important that we all understand how big a step this is for this community, and I hope future elected officials can have the same fervor for inclusion as Governor Paterson.
I will be updating this post regularly throughout, and adding some of my favorite comments in the diary.
If you could please rec this diary, not to give me any personal attention, but to allow more people to see and take part in discussion.
Thanks.
(Just mentioned Dailykos directly, as well as huffpost and albany project)
First question:
What did it feel like to be at the inauguration and witness the First Black President being sworn in?
Paterson: Seeing the people who weren't African American, who were so overjoyed with this election, made a great statement about the status of our society. Made a bold statement about the state of our society.
Second Question:
Where are you on making a decision for the Senate Seat?
Paterson: I will be announcing my choice tomorrow, as I wanted the inauguration process to play out.
Third Question:
How do you prepare for a speech, having to memorize entire hour-long speeches?
Paterson: I visualize using different images and ideas, rather than exact words and phrases.
Fourth Question:
Do you feel that speaking with a sober temperament, or with an optimistic temperament about the future of the state?
Paterson: I like to speak about hope and change, but at the same time we are facing a 15.4 billion budget deficit.
Fifth Question:
What do you plan on doing to work towards a balanced deficit?
Paterson: With the new budget, a cut in education will be necessary to bolster our budget, unfortunately, but with that we hope, with the help of a stimulus, to have a less than 7 billion dollar budget over the next two years.
Sixth Question:
How do you plan on making sure the budget deficit doesn't overburden the poor and middle class?
Paterson: In the end as we turn the economy around, every citizen in the state must contribute to the well being of the state. can't balance on the backs of the poor, through the misery of the impoverished and expect the middle class to do the work of the rich in terms of sacrifices.
Owe $51B over the next 3 years; every NY'er will think they were singled out for punishment. We've run up a huge debt. My aim is to... move us back to prosperity.
Seventh Question:
What do you plan on doing to end reliance on foreign oil?
Paterson: Without any proper energy policy in this country over the last decade, we need to make sure that in order to grow our economy, a new "erie canal project", having to do with green energy would bolster our standing in the world and nation.
Eighth Question:
Any advice for future public servants?
Paterson: Any student going into public service should come in with the loftiest goals. Coming into any capacity such as criminal defenders and judges, or legislators, funding will be important for education.
Ninth Question:
What are the chances of Gay Marriage becoming legal in NY?
Paterson: I would sign a bill tomorrow if it happened. Dems are at least 5 votes short of passing a bill. The apparatus is in place to get the bill on the floor, but the votes are needed.
Tenth Question:
How would you reform the Rockefeller Drug Laws?
Paterson: The laws need to be picked over, I was the first government to put the laws in my State of the State address.
Eleventh Question:
How do you plan on making public officials more accountable to their constituents?
Paterson: People know that there is a 15.4 billion dollar budget deficit. It would be 3 times the highest budget we ever had, except in '03-'04. I'm working on trying to get people to sacrifice, and the budget making process has not been on the front burner.
Twelfth Question:
How do you plan on helping people with disabilities?
Paterson: I've already had a meeting with the disabled within New York, and the current budget is going to hurt them a little more, unless we can get those who do not contribute to pony up. A strong plan that includes every New Yorkers contribution would be the best way.
Thirteenth Question:
How do you plan on making sure property taxes don't rise too high?
Paterson: A cap on property taxes at about 4%, would be a great way to make sure homeowners aren't suffereing, but it would be rendered moot if it didn't help the budget.
Fourteenth Question:
What was the most inspirational time during this campaign and the past couple months? And what was the worst time you had?
Paterson:Picking between senate prospects, and telling people that you haven't selected them for the spot. Meeting the pope was one of the best, seeing him at Yankees Stadium. And Throwing out the first ball at Mets stadium. Running into civilians and being recognized. Another worst is watching the budget deficit increase by 60 million dollars. Healthy steps for NY was a real thrill. All in all, there have been alot of exciting moments over the course of 10 months.
Thanks everyone for helping out and putting in your input.