Albany Watch

Unable to get a budget deal today with the state Legislature, Gov. David Paterson told reporters this evening that he will call lawmakers back to Albany next Monday and Tuesday to address the deficit.

He said today’s session wasn’t a bust because it got lawmakers to negotiate seriously about the budget problems.

“It’s not where this process begins, it’s where it ends and it’s when it ends,” Paterson said.

The governor said part of the discussions center on changes to the $471 million in health-care cuts he’s proposed, saying lawmakers have pointed out that the cuts would actually come to about $748 million when federal matching funds are considered.

He said they are working on health-care cuts that wouldn’t impact the federal match.

Paterson said Senate Democrats have been more cooperative toward his budget-cutting plan and that he’s confident the sides will reach agreement next week.

“I expect results next week,” Paterson said.

Asked about the return to special session, Senate Democratic Leader John Sampson, D-Brooklyn, said he’s also confident a deal will be reached by then.

“I think we are going to have it done by then. We’re working extremely hard to get it done. We have moved, and I think the governor has acknowledged that,” Sampson said.

Asked if cuts to education and health care will be part of the deal, even though his conference initially balked at cuts, he responded: “At the end of the day, it’s going to be a shared sacrifice.”

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