Paterson plans to lay off thousands of state workers Jan. 1

Gov. David A. Paterson said Tuesday that his aides were devising a plan to lay off thousands of unionized state employees to help close the state's $9.2 billion budget deficit. But he said he would leave the plan to his successor as governor to decide whether to implement it beginning Jan. 1, 2011.

Paterson told reporters in Manhattan that the plan is in "elementary stages" and will take months to develop.

"I would like everyone in the public to get the message that our economy is in serious peril," the governor said, adding that New York has run out of money three times since December. "We insist that all citizens be part of the sacrifice."

The largest state employee unions were predictably aghast at the proposition of layoffs. Civil Service Employees Association president Danny Donohue said: "It is unfortunate that Governor . . . Paterson continues to engage in threats and counterproductive rhetoric."

Kenneth Brynien, president of the Public Employees Federation, said Paterson should reduce the state's reliance on "higher-priced private consultants" and give their work to state employees. Paterson's move comes after a federal judge last week barred him from putting 100,0000 workers on furlough and withholding a 4 percent wage raise owed to some April 1. There are 25,260 unionized state employees on Long Island.

But New York governors have more power to lay off workers than to issue furloughs, said Robert Ward, deputy director of SUNY's Rockefeller Institute of Government in Albany. "Historical precedent indicates that the governor has the authority to manage the workforce with actions that include layoffs."

The last governor to lay off a significant number of state employees was George Pataki, who laid off 2,500 workers in 1995 and 1996.

Paterson, who is seeking $250 million in union concessions, didn't rule out starting layoffs this year if New York's fiscal situation further deteriorates. He said he did not feel obligated to honor a no-layoffs pledge made last year to leaders of the CSEA and PEF if the economy worsens. "We didn't want to lay off anyone," Paterson said. "This was a last resort."

Dan Weiller, spokesman for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) agreed with Paterson that "a significant workforce savings" is necessary, but added that "it's up to the governor to manage the state's workforce."

And Austin Shafran, spokesman for Senate Democratic conference leader John Sampson of Brooklyn, said, "We are doing everything possible to pass a budget that protects jobs."

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, who has used the threat of layoffs to win concessions from the county unions, encouraged Paterson to stand firm.

"Hopefully this action will convince collective bargaining units to come to the table and negotiate so no layoffs will have to occur," said Levy, who is seeking the GOP nomination for governor.

Spokesmen for Rick Lazio and Carl Paladino, who are also seeking the GOP nod for governor, did not respond to requests for comment. Spokesmen for Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, the Democrats' nominee for governor, and Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) declined to comment.