Bill Moyers Talks with NY Gov. David A. Paterson in a Candid Interview on Economy, Governorship

Bill Moyers Talks with NY Gov. David A. Paterson in a Candid Interview on Economy, Governorship

Airs on PBS' Bill Moyers Journal on Friday, Dec. 19 at 9PM (check local listings)

Advanced transcript available upon request.

NEW YORK, Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- With 43 states facing budget shortfalls, Bill Moyers talks with David A. Paterson on how the Governor will face New York's deficit. In a frank conversation, Paterson outlines his mission "to persuade people that the better course is to bite the bullet, and years from now we'll realize how close we came to economic disaster." The interview airs tonight on Bill Moyers Journal on PBS at 9PM (check local listings).

Having come under recent fire, Governor Paterson defends his proposed budget cuts, additional taxes and tax increases -- from social services to a tax on sugary drinks.

       "The arguments against cutting education, the arguments about not       cutting healthcare at this time are completely valid.  Everybody's       right individually.  What it has added up to is everybody's wrong       because we've overspent so much," Governor Paterson told Moyers.   

When questioned about high executive bonuses on Wall Street, Paterson responded:

       "At the end of the year, when they got their bonuses that would       be the fourth quarter of our fiscal year, January, February, March.       Thirty percent of New York's revenues came from those bonuses.       And although I totally agree that they were voluminous, and I       think they are out of line, as the bonuses start to go away,       New York's economy sinks further in the hole.        "I never rooted for the Wall Street tycoons.  But I read that top       officials at Goldman Sachs deferred their bonuses this year.  I       went and factored it out.  That cost New York $213 million."   

When speaking candidly about the wave of criticism surrounding his budget proposal, Paterson admitted he was not afraid to lose his job.

       "I'm unafraid to be unemployed.  The truth has to be told       sometimes.  I'm willing to tell it because I think that the       public is angry.  And, I'm honest.  These criticisms, the CSEA       [Civil Service Employees Association] quote ... they hurt me."    

A full transcript and video of this interview will be available after broadcast on www.pbs.org/moyers. Transcripts of interview available in advance upon request.

   Press Contact:   Diane Domondon   Bill Moyers Journal   212.560.8530   DomondonD@thirteen.org  

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Source: Bill Moyers Journal

CONTACT: Diane Domondon for Bill Moyers Journal, +1-212-560-8530,
DomondonD@thirteen.org

Web Site: http://www.pbs.org/moyers

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