ALBANY -- A feisty Gov.-elect Andrew Cuomo today lashed out today at the State Legislature for failing to close at least a $315 million budget deficit and warned state employee unions to be ready for serious cutbacks next year.
After a 90-minute, closed-door luncheon meeting with Assembly Democrats at an Albany hotel, Cuomo emerged to praise the "very positive" session that touched on a range of fiscal and policy issues.
He then quickly condemned lawmakers for failing to act in a special session called Monday by Gov. David Paterson to close the current year's red ink.
"For them to come back and do nothing, I think, is very distressing," Cuomo told reporters. "The governor was right to call them back. ... They failed the people of the State of New York once again."
--Tom Precious
