Poll: New Yorkers Displeased With Budget

By Michael Gormley

ALBANY, N.Y. -- A majority of New Yorkers don't like the high taxing and spending in the budget crafted in secret by the state's Democratic leaders, who say it's essential to pulling the state out of fiscal crisis.

The Quinnipiac University poll released Tuesday found that 60% of New Yorkers disapprove of the $131.8 billion spending plan adopted last week. And 65% say Gov. David Paterson and the Legislature failed in equal parts to show political courage and make tough decisions during a fiscal crisis.

Most of the $10 billion in added spending is covered by federal economic stimulus money, but that cash infusion ends next year. That will leave New York with a higher spending base but less revenue. ...