Paterson on the Difference Between Smart City Taxes and Dumb State Taxes

Speaking to reporters after Al Sharpton’s birthday luncheon, David Paterson said the state is (still) facing a fiscal crisis, but that tax hikes “are not on the table.” He also said that for the first time, all four Democratic and Republican legislative leaders agree on that point.

I asked Paterson if he agreed with Michael Bloomberg, who signaled that he may raise taxes in the city.

“That’s fine,“ if Bloomberg and the City Council want to do that, Paterson said. He explained that the city is in “a different situation” than the state. “When they taxed, they saved a lot of money. We frittered our money away in reckless governance that put us $5 billion in the hole already.”