" 8810, I guess you've never worked somewhere this happened. Top management often has no clue what the people in the trenches are doing for work. Just because it isn't realistic to have 2 people doing the real work of 5 doesn't mean they won't cut the jobs anyway and stick you in a really difficult position. It happens all the time, and it does NOT necessarily mean that there wasn't enough work to warrant five in the first place. "

" stevedallas

You don't see the big picture the over all budget is down. As long as he is spending less who cares were he spends what he has. "

" Sorry Gov. Patterson, there was a sign at one on you little town meetins the other night and you got offended at the saying on it, I agree you cut this cut that and take from the little people but you give raisies to you cronnies. Defenitly the blind leading the blind. Thats not ment as a insult to your diability. Your cronnies need the raises more that the little guy, so they will follow you anywhere. "

" Where I work, the hourly people are working ten hour days we are so busy. The Salary people are working at least that. Guess what, after reviews no money for raises. Be lucky you have a job. I am sure there are people out there that would take the jobs in Albany for less money and do more work. Patterson is trying to make up for bad government by cutting the wrong programs and advance his political career. Guess what..as far as my vote...career over! "

" And those two people still probably dont have enough work to keep them busy for 40 hrs per week! Not to make jokes, but he really cant see the big picture can he? "

" Obviously, if two people can now do the work of 5, the other 3 were never needed. It's called "padding" the payroll. Left over from Liberal Elliot.

I never did vote for him, or will I ever.

Shooma "

" Obviously, if two people can now do the work of 5, the remaining 3 were never needed. It's called "padding" the payroll. Probably left over from Elliot.

He never did have my vote. "

" Hey 'Farmers Gal', Patterson is already asking many government workers to do more without an increase in pay, but it's ok for folks in his office? He's being a hypocrite and setting a bad example. My office is down 3 workers, guess what, no one got a raise to make up for it..... "

" Wait -- consider -- if they have laid off employees and are now dumping more work on the remaining employees, it is perfectly appropriate to compensate the remaining employees for the extra work -- and it is still a huge savings for the budget.

Say you have 5 people processing incoming applications for some State program. You lay off 3 of them. Each of the remaining workers now have to do the work of 2 1/2 people. Provided they don't have a break-down from too much work, they deserve to get a bit more pay. So, you tack on $1,500 a year extra for each -- and you are still saving huge amounts in terms of the salaries and benefits of the 3 positions you eliminated.

THINK and read more carefully before you have hysterics.

The Governor ELIMINATED jobs, and DECREASED the net amount being spent, and is APPROPRIATELY increasing the pay of those left behind with a bigger work load.

Have none of you ever been in such a position yourselves? "

" WOW! I love the outrage! Now we're getting somewhere. My outrage started when Patterson sold out NY. He planned on appointing Kennedy to the Senate there by putting his politcal career first before the people of NY. My cat has more public service experience than she did. "

" Absolutely in need of medications now!!!! People out of work, working two jobs to survive, the economy in a trash can, raising taxes, cutting needed programs but heavens.....he gives these aides a raise......he DOESN'T get my vote!!!! "

" He takes away my raise, a public employee that actual does something, to validate the raises for the blundering idiots that agree to his every word. This guy needs to get the h*** out of this state cuz he's not doing us any favors. Maybe he should start fixing the debt by laying off the staff under him instead of us "unionized public employees." "

" COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

" HE WHAT???!!!!! ARE YOU SERIOUS????? THIS GUY IS OUT OF CONTROL. COMPLETE AND UTTER ROGUE. How long are we stuck with this guy?? Please, please let there be a viable candidate to run in the next election! "

" Is he out of his mind? Raising taxes and slashing programs he gives his top aides pay raises. What the hell is he thinking? "

" UN-@%#^$!-ING-BELIEVABLE!!!!

At a time when he's slashing things in the budget, he;s increasing salaries?!?!?!

I URGE EVERYONE READING THIS TO CALL AND TELL HIM THAT HE HAS LOST YOUR VOTE!!! "