Zeldin won't support Paul Ryan's budget without reading it

State Sen. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley), running for Congress, declined to embrace GOP House Budget Committee chairman Paul Ryan's fiscal plan when asked about it in a telephone town hall meeting two days before the House approved it. "I'm not prepared to blindly endorse any type of a budget proposal right out of the gate before I have the opportunity to read it," said Zeldin, seeking to challenge Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton) in November.

Ryan's plan would cut $5.1 trillion over 10 years, repeal Obamacare, cut Medicaid, food stamps and education grants, and increase spending on defense and veterans. Zeldin's GOP primary opponent George Demos declined to comment. -- Rick Brand