Welcome to the Red Room – the Governor’s ceremonial office – in my opinion, the most beautiful room in your State Capitol.
When I ran for Governor, I told the people of this great state that I would clean up Albany and get the state’s economy running once again. I have spent every day working to do just that.
We are now about one week from the April 1 deadline for a new state budget— and either the Legislature will pass -- or will fail to pass -- the state budget that I have proposed.
The budget that I proposed does what you sent me here to do – it closes a $10 billion deficit with no new taxes. It forces the government to cut waste and inefficiency and finally tighten its belt – just like every family in this state has had to do.
My budget shakes up the Albany establishment, there's no doubt -- the special interests and their lobbyists have been working overtime to stop the reforms that I have proposed.
If the Legislature fails to pass a budget on time, the government will not have the funds to operate, and it may be forced to “shutdown."
As your Governor, I will make sure we are prepared for this contingency. I don't want that to happen, I will do all I can to get the budget done. I am working very hard to cooperate with the Legislature, but in the end, I will not compromise the important work you elected me to do, and I will not back down from my promise to the people of this great state.
Even if the Legislature causes a shutdown of government it will be only temporary, and will only delay, not derail our budget’s final passage.
This is a pivotal moment for New York. We are at a cross roads. I will not allow the overspending, the waste, the corruption of Albany to continue. That's not what I'm here to do.
My friends, the state budget is on one hand very complex, but as I tell my children, I believe even in the most complex situations there is always a simple truth, there is always a right and a wrong.
For me this simple truth is captured on a pin I wear and give to every new member of my team. It says, “I work for the people.”
My job is to deliver a budget that makes this government work for the people once again – not for the special interests, not for the lobbyists, but for you.
We have a chance to turn this state around and build a new future for my family and for your family. That new New York starts here and it starts now.
We will get it done – together.
Thank you.