Gov. David A. Paterson Thursday predicted “anarchy in the streets” if state government shuts down on Monday, but legislative leaders vowed to win passage of the emergency spending bills to prevent that.
In the closely divided State Senate, one of two Democrats who promised to oppose the bills said he now would support them, at least once more. The Republican minority also released its suggested cuts to Medicaid, mental health and human services, saying if they were included in the bills some GOP senators may vote “yes.”
Meanwhile, lawmakers and fiscal experts questioned the immediate impact of the emergency bills’ defeat. They noted the state comptroller already has permission to pay salaries of about half the state workforce and make payments for health care services.
Paterson, who has wide latitude over state agencies, will determine the severity of a closure, they said. State commissioners have been ordered to make contingency plans…
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