"It's patently unfair that most New York public workers aren't making the kind of sacrifices commonplace among the people who foot the bulk of bills for their salaries and benefits--taxpayers."
Rochester Democrat & Chronicle editorial, March 21, 2010

"If you run into any state workers today, be sure to congratulate them on the 4% raises they just got-- despite the worst fiscal crisis to slam New York  in generation.
"They darn well ought to thank you back, because the rest of us are going to suffer for their good fortune.
William Hammond, New York Daily News, April 2, 2010

 

"Teachers and other public employee unions should be no different than other American workers in helping to bear the burden of the worst economic crisis in 80 years. The New Yorkers who fund their paychecks have taken a beating over the past couple of years, some losing their jobs, others giving up pay increases or other benefits."
Buffalo News editorial, March 26, 2010
 

"We're not asking for you to give up what you've got. We're just asking you to forego any increase. For two years.
"Those teachers who say they're truly concerned about the children's education should jump at the chance, since the alternative is their district cutting valuable educational programs, increasing class sizes and laying off teachers."
Glens Falls Post-Star editorial, January 27. 2010

"Contractually, the unions can shrug off any suggestions of a wage freeze for the next year. But they cannot turn their backs on the dire fiscal circumstances choking the state and New York taxpayers."
Ithaca Journal, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin, Elmira Star-Gazette editorial, March 3, 2010
 

"But perhaps the single most important step that state government can take this year is to immediately enact a salary freeze statewide for all public-sector employees….
"To be truly effective, the concept must be applied statewide at all levels of government, because whether it's through state or local taxes, the same money - from taxpayers' wallets - is paying the bills."
Watertown Times editorial, April 5,. 2010
 

"Ultimately, in fact, such a freeze could save jobs, since school districts and governments of all stripes could be facing steeper layoffs without revenue reductions elsewhere. Paterson has harped on this issue, saying it is unfair for unions to get the raises when more than 300,000 New Yorkers have lost their jobs — and when so many in the private sector have had to accept furloughs, wage freezes and salary cuts during the recession.
"He's right."
Poughkeepsie Journal editorial, Aporil 3, 2010

"Declare a fiscal emergency and freeze public-sector salaries - from the state on down through local governments and school districts. This would be, the Empire Center notes, a way to save jobs and essential public services - especially schools - that will otherwise be jeopardized when, inevitably, state aid is cut."
Dunkirk Observer editorial, January 17, 2010

"Everyone must sacrifice something in light of the state's fiscal crisis, including members of the Civil Service Employees Association and the Public Employees Federation. The governor knows that and makes sense when he lays out the fiscal picture. But he and other state leaders will have to make a stronger point than simply asking the public employee unions not to accept these unrealistic raises.
"As the governor said, taxpayers cannot afford what it will cost to raise the salaries of state workers at this time. He needs to make the point stick."
Batavia Daily News editorial, April 7, 2010