Paterson noted that New York entered a recession in August. He's already proposed a $121.1 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, up 1.1 percent. That includes layoffs, a cut in school aid and 88 new or higher fees.
The Democrat is also proposing several new initiatives, including establishing an upstate research consortium to develop hybrid electric batteries and energy storage technologies.
Paterson is setting a statewide goal of meeting 45 percent of electricity needs by 2015 through improved efficiency and clean renewable energy. He says hitting that goal would create an estimated 50,000 jobs.
