Patersons air affairs after inauguration

Hours after David Paterson took the oath of office as New York State’s 55th governor, he was back addressing reporters about multiple extramarital affairs he admitted to having while going through difficult times with his wife Michelle.
Paterson admitted to multiple relationships outside of that with his wife, including one with a state employee, but he denied ever using state funds to pay for anything during those relationships.
“I don’t think I’ve violated my oath of office,” Paterson told reporters at a press briefing on Tuesday, March 18. “I would never use campaign funds for that purpose.”
Paterson’s wife Michelle, who accompanied him to the press conference, also admitted to having an extramarital affair.
Meanwhile, Paterson received words of encouragement from Republican State Senate Majority leader Joseph Bruno.
“His personal life is his personal life and he has to share what he’s comfortable sharing,” Bruno said during a meeting with reporters on Tuesday. “And as long as it doesn’t interfere with how he’s governing, it’s nobody’s business.”
Paterson’s revelation, which came just one week after former governor Eliot Spitzer’s involvement in a prostitution ring became public, somewhat overshadowed his inauguration on Monday, March 17.
“I have a vision for New York,” Paterson said during his address. “It’s a New York where achievement is developed only from hard work, where doors are always open and where anyone can achieve no matter where they live.”
Meanwhile, many local legislators on both sides of the political aisle praised Paterson’s first public appearance as governor.
Queens Assemblymember Mark Weprin, who chairs the Small Business Committee, called Paterson’s speech inspiring after the last week that left Albany dazed and confused.
During Paterson’s address, he referred to the impending state budget, which legislators in both houses are beginning to negotiate with the hopes of reaching an agreement by April 1.
“There’s a budget that needs to be passed, and we will pass it,” Paterson said during his address. “We need a plan to put New Yorkers back to work and we will provide it. We have to battle the obstacle of doubt and uncertainty, and we shall overcome it.”
Weprin acknowledged that given the economic uncertainty, budget cuts were imminent.
“The economy is getting worse everyday, and therefore there will have to be some cuts,” he said.