Get ready for cuts, fees

ALBANY - Gov. David Paterson is calling New Yorkers and almost every business sector to pitch in for at least the next couple of years to end what he calls the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.

His play book is a proposed 2009-10 budget of $121.1 billion, which includes layoffs, a cut in school aid, 88 new or higher fees, and the early release of 1,600 inmates.

The proposal he released Tuesday to the Legislature would increase total spending by 1.1 percent - or $1.3 billion - and close $15.4 billion in deficits over two years.