A proposed state budget is causing considerable consternation down state in New York City. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has stated that Governor Paterson’s state budget as it stands now could reduce the city’s workforce by the thousands in the coming months. Paterson’s proposed budget would cut $1.5 billion in funding to the city Bloomberg said. 9% of the city’s police officers would lose their jobs, 1,050 firemen, and 8,500 teachers as part of what Bloomberg states is a $500 million cut in education funding.

Aid for soup kitchens, homeless shelters and transit cards would be canceled. Bloomberg testified at a budget hearing held by the Ways and Means Committee and the Senate’s Finance Committee to present his predictions. Lawmakers assured Bloomberg they would try to “undo” some of the proposed budget. Paterson’s budget director, Robert Megna, said Bloomberg used “selective accounting” and that the city will benefit from Medicaid reforms and other relief from mandates that the governor proposed.