New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. today issued the following statement following Governor David Paterson’s announcement that the State faces a cumulative budget gap of $47 billion over the next four years:

“The Governor’s announcement displays a clear yet troubling recognition of the challenges facing our city and state.

As I have stressed in recent weeks, New York is the unfortunate center of a worldwide economic crisis, and our city alone is expected to witness the loss of 165,000 jobs over the next two years.

We are confronted with many obstacles, difficult choices that likely will not be universally welcomed. But we must all work together to identify ways to confront this crisis head-on, to sacrifice equitably, and avoid paring vital services.”

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