INTERVIEW the energy fi eld, thanks to governors pataki and the business to other states. so we’re not in the you make a couple of mistakes and its open spitzer, who were dedicated to this prior to me. negotiating position the way the governments season on everything you ever did in your life. so now with our “45 by 15” program, where we were during the great depression or the fi scal there is all sorts of criticism and gossip and VIEW would reconvert 45 percent of our electricity to crisis of the ’70s. you’re fi ghting the inability to tell your side of clean and renewable energy sources and also Is it hard to be optimistic today with the story. For instance, if the public knew that to alternative energy forms by 2015, this could this doom-and-gloom type mentality? these egregious reimbursement reforms that we be a huge shot in the arm for our economy, it’s very hard to be optimistic when you’re want to create in health care would only cause InterviewINTER and would defi nitely establish energy indepen- trying to get people to accept the reality of the the hospitals to lose somewhere between 1.5 dence. the state that can energize itself will be situation, because you will be inherently per- and 2 percent of their revenues while it would, Governing Through Crisis the fi nancial leader of the next decade. ceived as pessimistic, since nobody believes in some cases, save patients’ lives and would How challenged is the New York health you. and that’s what happened when i gave a save the state manifest amounts of money, i care system, and can you make a real im- televised address to the state on July 29, 2008, think they would like the program. but when pact in expanding coverage? where i took fi ve minutes to point out that we the only commercials they see are about clos- our medicaid system is increasing by 12 were in a fi scal downturn. our budget defi cit had ing hospitals thereby causing job losses without percent a year, and our revenues are down increased 28 percent in the past three months, the benefi t of countervailing information, even An Interview with The Honorable David A. Paterson, something like 5 or 6 percent this year – it’s no and i said the legislature has to come back in i would believe them. but i’m operating under Governor of New York wonder we have a $15 billion budget defi cit. august and close this, and we know it’s an elec- the theory that good ethical decision inevitably our health care costs are 40 percent of our bud- tion year and people have vacations scheduled, becomes good political decision. so inaccurate energy shortage in this country. about three The hope today would be that politics get defi cit. we spent $46 billion on medicaid. but they’re going to have to cancel them. i did information can exist for a day, but over a pe- years ago, the fact that it was an issue broke could be put aside and that what is needed the state of california, with twice the number not get a pat on the back for that act. however, riod of time, people will realize that the state through with the american public. bush opened and good for both the state and the country of residents, spent $35 billion on medicaid. so at that time, i didn’t really know the extent of the will be in better condition for passing the type his state of the union address in 2006 by say- would be the focus. Is that realistic? there are some adjustments that we have to mess we were in. in the beginning of august, i of budget we’re proposing. ing, “america is addicted to oil.” in advertising, i think it is realistic. we have the means, make in the system. it is very diffi cult to be thought we might have the most horrible of situ- What would the people who have there was suddenly this focus on green building the acumen, and the cooperation of enough asked to plug in the stimulus money for defi cit ations – a $9 billion budget defi cit. my staff said worked closely with you say about your and energy effi ciency – all of this became part people in albany to do it. but when we reduced reduction that is not recurring. so there is stimu- it would be $7.5 billion. it was $15.4 billion. so leadership style? of the rhetoric of advertising. For the economy, the budget defi cit for 2008 and 2009 for the third lus in 2010 and 2011, and by 2012, you’re back you’re going to be perceived as a pessimist. what they would say that i’m a person that uti- in the beginning of 2008, or even mid-year, if time and balanced the budget in the beginning to a $17 billion budget defi cit and no federal i’m trying to do in order to invite people into the lizes people, who doesn’t ignore the unique anybody said this was going to be terrible, they of February, cutting $1.6 billion off the remain- input to help you, because the federal govern- decision-making capacity of arresting this prob- combination of skills that people often bring to were called an alarmist and they took it back. ing defi cit and adding a recurring $800 million ment made it clear – if you’re not going to help lem is to offer to them that the faster we address their work. so i will have a press secretary talk then a number of people – a class within which to the 2009 to 2010 debt, we found that it was yourself, we’re not going to help you. they ac- it, the sooner and stronger we can recover from to legislators, because i know he may have a i include myself – started to talk about how a politicized process. i don’t even mind a politi- tually gave money as an aside to those states it and restore prosperity to the state. so i have rapport with them, and i’ll take someone from bad the economy was in July. and that didn’t cized process if the other side had a solution. that cut their education in 2007 and 2008 – that changed the culture of my advocacy to not that economic development and use him in a differ- go over very well for a couple of months. but but they never wrote down and submitted a was long before we thought the crisis was upon there’s a tunnel ahead, but there’s a light at the ent area, because i happen to remember that with the wall street demise, the disappearance way that they would cut the defi cit. what they us. they did that to reward states that are man- end of it. he knew things about that area. i try to be as of lehman brothers, the subsuming of merrill did was just complain. aging with fi scal discipline. utilitarian as possible. when i fi rst went to col- lynch by bank of america, and the collapse of How are the initiatives on affordable In order to solve many of these issues, lege and a lot of the library reading was not aig with the government having to save it, ev- and enhanced education progressing, and is does there need to be that public/private prerecorded, i had to get people to read to me The Hon. David A. Paterson erybody now academically accepts that we’re in this an area that you’re trying not to cut? partnership, and how much are you try- and often to teach me. what i didn’t realize as tough times. the american public immediately the federal government bailed us out in ing to engage private sector leaders and the a college student was that i was learning man- EDITORS’ NOTE David Paterson was appointed adjusted to it. people who were saving 1 to 2 education. they gave us $2.5 billion specifi cally business community in the dialogue? I’m operating under agement. sometimes the state education depart- to his current post in March of 2008. At the age percent of their per capita salaries started saving marked to cover any cuts that were made to the to a great degree. we’re going to need their ment would give me some resources to pay my of 31 in 1985, Governor Paterson was elected to between 5 and 6 percent. but the institutions of education budget. so we were able to cover the cooperation to get some increases in payroll readers, so i had to use the money strategically represent Harlem in the New York State Senate, government don’t change. even while they are state and local defi cits we believed would ac- taxes so we can have a balanced transportation the theory that good to get the right people helping me at the right becoming the youngest Senator in Albany. In reeling in this budget defi cit, nationally and lo- crue for 2009, 2010, and 2011. but that is still go- capital plan for the greater metropolitan area of time. i never realized that having to use people 2003, he became the minority leader of the New cally, nobody changes. i chalked that up to the ing to create a great hazard for the management new york city. we’re going to need the private to help me in terms of governing my own life York State Senate, the fi rst non-white legislative presidential election. the presidential election of the education system, because now we have businesses to understand that if we lower the ethical decision would be part of the leadership training i would leader in New York’s history. He made history is over, and we’re now seeing that people still fl at spending for two years. seventy-one percent climate for them, they’re going to have to create need to govern our whole state down the road. again in 2004 when he became the fi rst visu- don’t change. when 188 members of a party of the resources distributed for education go to jobs so the tax breaks that they get are going and the feeling that it’s lonely at the top is very ally impaired person to address the Democratic vote exactly the same way, it shows politics is administrative costs, so i think the districts can to benefi t our state by a function of $1 of tax inevitably becomes true. when going through this latest diffi culty, i National Convention. He became New York’s fi rst still more important. unions are using the same tighten their belts. but since nobody is going to break to $20 of investment. and we’re talking had 25 invitations to have dinner and talk things African American Lieutenant Governor in 2007 radio and television ads and hostile associations tighten their belts, everybody has to get cut by to them so they can help in a decision making out. in a month of dinners, i would have had and is now New York’s fi rst African American that they did fi ve years ago, and saying that me, so we’re going to have a problem. capacity. this includes the business council of good political decision. gone through the same conversation 25 times, Governor. Governor Paterson, who is legally this is the worst cut in the history of the state, You’re focused on making New York new york state, the new york city partnership, and i would have been wasting time that i blind, is a member of the American Foundation and asking how the governor can do it. this more energy independent and effi cient. Is and unshackled, which is a forceful business needed to start providing solutions. so there’s for the Blind. In addition, he is a Member of the is the worst budget defi cit – by three times – the need to address that area well under- organization from upstate new york – we actu- a balance between understanding the value of Board of the Achilles Track Club, having com- that we’ve ever had in the state; that’s how the stood by the public? ally recruited one of the unshackled leaders to people while avoiding replication of the mes- pleted the New York City Marathon in 1999. He governor is doing it. there is word that some it’s easier for us because people see the be the head of our empire state development sage that you’re hearing from them. serves as a member of the Democratic National long island business people are upset that the utility bills and they are well aware of the cost corporation. we want business very much in- How much did the role really drain you Do you believe New York is on track to Committee and as a board member of the fi rst projects that are shoveled in the ground of energy. they see their gas bills that were ris- volved, as we want labor involved. this is how initially, and was it hard to see the light at come out of this fi scal crisis as the fi nancial Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. that will create 1,100 jobs are all upstate. in real- ing, and they’ll rise again, along with their home they solved the fi scal crisis in the ’70s. the busi- the end of the tunnel? leader of the world, and are you optimistic He earned his bachelor’s degree in history from ity, they were the fi rst that were ready. we don’t heating fuel. so it’s a lot more tangible than ness and labor leaders came together. but the it has created a lot of anxiety and stress. that we are doing everything we can to ad- Columbia University in 1977, and completed his have time in a crisis to be evacuating the house the economy, which is an amorphous concept difference was that they were not as institution- you can feel like you’re careening down a hill dress this critical situation? J.D. at Hofstra Law School in 1982. He contin- on fi re from the front door and back door at the that people don’t often get a grasp of. one of ally strong as they are now. so you could have a for a bit, and the stress that i felt was enor- i’m optimistic that the capacity of people ues to give back to his alma mater by serving as same time; we have to get people out as soon as new york’s assets is its research and develop- big fi nance leader like david rockefeller come mous. but having been a person who has had to adjust, just as americans are adjusting to this an adjunct professor at Columbia’s School for we fi nd them. and so i’m not satisfi ed. ment capacity through our colleges and univer- in, pound his hands on the table, and tell every- obstacles and barriers in my life, i’ve recognized fi scal crisis individually, will be compiled col- International and Public Affairs. the good news is that i think the legisla- sities. there is a fi ght over which state can fi rst one they were going to work it out. and that’s that you have to slow the game down, and have lectively. in a short period of time – i would tors see it. the legislators, compounded with increase the battery life in the plug-in hybrid what they did in 1975 with governor carey. the temerity to try to think rather than react. the estimate two months after the corporate taxes Are you happy with the reception your ex- the choice of whether to reduce spending or electronic vehicle, thereby perfecting electronic there is no one of that stature or that capacity more you plan, the less you have to react. come in for march and the personal income ecutive budget has received and with the cut programs absent any revenues in the state storage technology, which will revitalize their to infl uence a situation, because now, the ad- Is it hard not to get caught up in what taxes for april – people will now see that we understanding of what needs to be done right now, are staring the crisis in the face at this economy for years to come. so we are pushing vocates have $100 million to go on tv if they the press writes about you, and are you able are trying to avoid a depressed economy rather during these tough times? point with our upcoming state budget constitu- to make that happen. we already have a very need to, and the business leaders have all kinds to keep that aside and not let it effect you? than a recessed economy, and will start to act no, i’m not. i would compare it to the tionally mandated to be passed april 1st. ambitious workforce development program in of ways to avoid the situation, including moving it’s hard not to get caught up in it because swiftly and soundly.• 10 Leaders posted with permission. copyright © 2009 leaders magazine, inc. volume 32, number 2 INTERVIEW the energy fi eld, thanks to governors pataki and the business to other states. so we’re not in the you make a couple of mistakes and its open spitzer, who were dedicated to this prior to me. negotiating position the way the governments season on everything you ever did in your life. so now with our “45 by 15” program, where we were during the great depression or the fi scal there is all sorts of criticism and gossip and VIEW would reconvert 45 percent of our electricity to crisis of the ’70s. you’re fi ghting the inability to tell your side of clean and renewable energy sources and also Is it hard to be optimistic today with the story. For instance, if the public knew that to alternative energy forms by 2015, this could this doom-and-gloom type mentality? these egregious reimbursement reforms that we be a huge shot in the arm for our economy, it’s very hard to be optimistic when you’re want to create in health care would only cause InterviewINTER and would defi nitely establish energy indepen- trying to get people to accept the reality of the the hospitals to lose somewhere between 1.5 dence. the state that can energize itself will be situation, because you will be inherently per- and 2 percent of their revenues while it would, Governing Through Crisis the fi nancial leader of the next decade. ceived as pessimistic, since nobody believes in some cases, save patients’ lives and would How challenged is the New York health you. and that’s what happened when i gave a save the state manifest amounts of money, i care system, and can you make a real im- televised address to the state on July 29, 2008, think they would like the program. but when pact in expanding coverage? where i took fi ve minutes to point out that we the only commercials they see are about clos- our medicaid system is increasing by 12 were in a fi scal downturn. our budget defi cit had ing hospitals thereby causing job losses without percent a year, and our revenues are down increased 28 percent in the past three months, the benefi t of countervailing information, even An Interview with The Honorable David A. Paterson, something like 5 or 6 percent this year – it’s no and i said the legislature has to come back in i would believe them. but i’m operating under Governor of New York wonder we have a $15 billion budget defi cit. august and close this, and we know it’s an elec- the theory that good ethical decision inevitably our health care costs are 40 percent of our bud- tion year and people have vacations scheduled, becomes good political decision. so inaccurate energy shortage in this country. about three The hope today would be that politics get defi cit. we spent $46 billion on medicaid. but they’re going to have to cancel them. i did information can exist for a day, but over a pe- years ago, the fact that it was an issue broke could be put aside and that what is needed the state of california, with twice the number not get a pat on the back for that act. however, riod of time, people will realize that the state through with the american public. bush opened and good for both the state and the country of residents, spent $35 billion on medicaid. so at that time, i didn’t really know the extent of the will be in better condition for passing the type his state of the union address in 2006 by say- would be the focus. Is that realistic? there are some adjustments that we have to mess we were in. in the beginning of august, i of budget we’re proposing. ing, “america is addicted to oil.” in advertising, i think it is realistic. we have the means, make in the system. it is very diffi cult to be thought we might have the most horrible of situ- What would the people who have there was suddenly this focus on green building the acumen, and the cooperation of enough asked to plug in the stimulus money for defi cit ations – a $9 billion budget defi cit. my staff said worked closely with you say about your and energy effi ciency – all of this became part people in albany to do it. but when we reduced reduction that is not recurring. so there is stimu- it would be $7.5 billion. it was $15.4 billion. so leadership style? of the rhetoric of advertising. For the economy, the budget defi cit for 2008 and 2009 for the third lus in 2010 and 2011, and by 2012, you’re back you’re going to be perceived as a pessimist. what they would say that i’m a person that uti- in the beginning of 2008, or even mid-year, if time and balanced the budget in the beginning to a $17 billion budget defi cit and no federal i’m trying to do in order to invite people into the lizes people, who doesn’t ignore the unique anybody said this was going to be terrible, they of February, cutting $1.6 billion off the remain- input to help you, because the federal govern- decision-making capacity of arresting this prob- combination of skills that people often bring to were called an alarmist and they took it back. ing defi cit and adding a recurring $800 million ment made it clear – if you’re not going to help lem is to offer to them that the faster we address their work. so i will have a press secretary talk then a number of people – a class within which to the 2009 to 2010 debt, we found that it was yourself, we’re not going to help you. they ac- it, the sooner and stronger we can recover from to legislators, because i know he may have a i include myself – started to talk about how a politicized process. i don’t even mind a politi- tually gave money as an aside to those states it and restore prosperity to the state. so i have rapport with them, and i’ll take someone from bad the economy was in July. and that didn’t cized process if the other side had a solution. that cut their education in 2007 and 2008 – that changed the culture of my advocacy to not that economic development and use him in a differ- go over very well for a couple of months. but but they never wrote down and submitted a was long before we thought the crisis was upon there’s a tunnel ahead, but there’s a light at the ent area, because i happen to remember that with the wall street demise, the disappearance way that they would cut the defi cit. what they us. they did that to reward states that are man- end of it. he knew things about that area. i try to be as of lehman brothers, the subsuming of merrill did was just complain. aging with fi scal discipline. utilitarian as possible. when i fi rst went to col- lynch by bank of america, and the collapse of How are the initiatives on affordable In order to solve many of these issues, lege and a lot of the library reading was not aig with the government having to save it, ev- and enhanced education progressing, and is does there need to be that public/private prerecorded, i had to get people to read to me The Hon. David A. Paterson erybody now academically accepts that we’re in this an area that you’re trying not to cut? partnership, and how much are you try- and often to teach me. what i didn’t realize as tough times. the american public immediately the federal government bailed us out in ing to engage private sector leaders and the a college student was that i was learning man- EDITORS’ NOTE David Paterson was appointed adjusted to it. people who were saving 1 to 2 education. they gave us $2.5 billion specifi cally business community in the dialogue? I’m operating under agement. sometimes the state education depart- to his current post in March of 2008. At the age percent of their per capita salaries started saving marked to cover any cuts that were made to the to a great degree. we’re going to need their ment would give me some resources to pay my of 31 in 1985, Governor Paterson was elected to between 5 and 6 percent. but the institutions of education budget. so we were able to cover the cooperation to get some increases in payroll readers, so i had to use the money strategically represent Harlem in the New York State Senate, government don’t change. even while they are state and local defi cits we believed would ac- taxes so we can have a balanced transportation the theory that good to get the right people helping me at the right becoming the youngest Senator in Albany. In reeling in this budget defi cit, nationally and lo- crue for 2009, 2010, and 2011. but that is still go- capital plan for the greater metropolitan area of time. i never realized that having to use people 2003, he became the minority leader of the New cally, nobody changes. i chalked that up to the ing to create a great hazard for the management new york city. we’re going to need the private to help me in terms of governing my own life York State Senate, the fi rst non-white legislative presidential election. the presidential election of the education system, because now we have businesses to understand that if we lower the ethical decision would be part of the leadership training i would leader in New York’s history. He made history is over, and we’re now seeing that people still fl at spending for two years. seventy-one percent climate for them, they’re going to have to create need to govern our whole state down the road. again in 2004 when he became the fi rst visu- don’t change. when 188 members of a party of the resources distributed for education go to jobs so the tax breaks that they get are going and the feeling that it’s lonely at the top is very ally impaired person to address the Democratic vote exactly the same way, it shows politics is administrative costs, so i think the districts can to benefi t our state by a function of $1 of tax inevitably becomes true. when going through this latest diffi culty, i National Convention. He became New York’s fi rst still more important. unions are using the same tighten their belts. but since nobody is going to break to $20 of investment. and we’re talking had 25 invitations to have dinner and talk things African American Lieutenant Governor in 2007 radio and television ads and hostile associations tighten their belts, everybody has to get cut by to them so they can help in a decision making out. in a month of dinners, i would have had and is now New York’s fi rst African American that they did fi ve years ago, and saying that me, so we’re going to have a problem. capacity. this includes the business council of good political decision. gone through the same conversation 25 times, Governor. Governor Paterson, who is legally this is the worst cut in the history of the state, You’re focused on making New York new york state, the new york city partnership, and i would have been wasting time that i blind, is a member of the American Foundation and asking how the governor can do it. this more energy independent and effi cient. Is and unshackled, which is a forceful business needed to start providing solutions. so there’s for the Blind. In addition, he is a Member of the is the worst budget defi cit – by three times – the need to address that area well under- organization from upstate new york – we actu- a balance between understanding the value of Board of the Achilles Track Club, having com- that we’ve ever had in the state; that’s how the stood by the public? ally recruited one of the unshackled leaders to people while avoiding replication of the mes- pleted the New York City Marathon in 1999. He governor is doing it. there is word that some it’s easier for us because people see the be the head of our empire state development sage that you’re hearing from them. serves as a member of the Democratic National long island business people are upset that the utility bills and they are well aware of the cost corporation. we want business very much in- How much did the role really drain you Do you believe New York is on track to Committee and as a board member of the fi rst projects that are shoveled in the ground of energy. they see their gas bills that were ris- volved, as we want labor involved. this is how initially, and was it hard to see the light at come out of this fi scal crisis as the fi nancial Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. that will create 1,100 jobs are all upstate. in real- ing, and they’ll rise again, along with their home they solved the fi scal crisis in the ’70s. the busi- the end of the tunnel? leader of the world, and are you optimistic He earned his bachelor’s degree in history from ity, they were the fi rst that were ready. we don’t heating fuel. so it’s a lot more tangible than ness and labor leaders came together. but the it has created a lot of anxiety and stress. that we are doing everything we can to ad- Columbia University in 1977, and completed his have time in a crisis to be evacuating the house the economy, which is an amorphous concept difference was that they were not as institution- you can feel like you’re careening down a hill dress this critical situation? J.D. at Hofstra Law School in 1982. He contin- on fi re from the front door and back door at the that people don’t often get a grasp of. one of ally strong as they are now. so you could have a for a bit, and the stress that i felt was enor- i’m optimistic that the capacity of people ues to give back to his alma mater by serving as same time; we have to get people out as soon as new york’s assets is its research and develop- big fi nance leader like david rockefeller come mous. but having been a person who has had to adjust, just as americans are adjusting to this an adjunct professor at Columbia’s School for we fi nd them. and so i’m not satisfi ed. ment capacity through our colleges and univer- in, pound his hands on the table, and tell every- obstacles and barriers in my life, i’ve recognized fi scal crisis individually, will be compiled col- International and Public Affairs. the good news is that i think the legisla- sities. there is a fi ght over which state can fi rst one they were going to work it out. and that’s that you have to slow the game down, and have lectively. in a short period of time – i would tors see it. the legislators, compounded with increase the battery life in the plug-in hybrid what they did in 1975 with governor carey. the temerity to try to think rather than react. the estimate two months after the corporate taxes Are you happy with the reception your ex- the choice of whether to reduce spending or electronic vehicle, thereby perfecting electronic there is no one of that stature or that capacity more you plan, the less you have to react. come in for march and the personal income ecutive budget has received and with the cut programs absent any revenues in the state storage technology, which will revitalize their to infl uence a situation, because now, the ad- Is it hard not to get caught up in what taxes for april – people will now see that we understanding of what needs to be done right now, are staring the crisis in the face at this economy for years to come. so we are pushing vocates have $100 million to go on tv if they the press writes about you, and are you able are trying to avoid a depressed economy rather during these tough times? point with our upcoming state budget constitu- to make that happen. we already have a very need to, and the business leaders have all kinds to keep that aside and not let it effect you? than a recessed economy, and will start to act no, i’m not. i would compare it to the tionally mandated to be passed april 1st. ambitious workforce development program in of ways to avoid the situation, including moving it’s hard not to get caught up in it because swiftly and soundly.• volume 32, number 2 posted with permission. copyright © 2009 leaders magazine, inc. Leaders 11