Governor David Paterson proposed $620 million in additional state savings today and asked Albany lawmakers to pass his proposed budget tomorrow by a simple up-or-down vote.

The additional cuts were needed as the state’s deficit has ballooned to $9.2 billion. A balanced budget for the state’s upcoming fiscal year is already 27 days overdue.

Speaking at the State Capitol today, Paterson said $100 million in savings came from suggestions given from state legislators, but said that lawmakers need the resolve to make additional cuts and solve the budget issue to allow Albany to “move on” with governing.

“I am asking the Legislature when they convene tomorrow to pass my budget… simply on an up-or-down vote. Time is of the essence,” said Paterson. “All of us need to be aware, the quicker we pass this budget, the sooner or faster we can begin to recover from our economic situation.”

The budget proposal also reduces the state workforce by $250 million, but the governor said an agreement with the unions is so elusive that he suggested instituting a one-day worker furlough for each week the state does not have a balanced budget.

If the state Legislature does not pass Paterson’s budget tomorrow, the governor requested that state lawmakers work five days a week instead of three until a balanced budget is passed.

Assembly Democrats are touting Lieutenant Richard Ravitch’s five-year budget plan, which allows the state to do some limited short-term borrowing to help cover costs.

The governor said today that his proposal is better since it does not allow additional borrowing.

Albany has already passed a fourth round of emergency extender bills to allow the state government to run without a balanced budget.

Paterson has already delayed payment to schools, denied a 4 percent wage increase to state workers and temporarily suspended state capital construction projects.

(Source: NY1)