David Paterson, sworn in last month amid scandal and economic crisis, vowed to get back to the work of government with a plan devoted to public service.

In his first address, the 55th governor of New York State emphasized the need to abandon old divisions, devise a budget to address the faltering state economy, and help families in distress.

Local 237 President Gregory Floyd was on hand to witness the historic occasion as Paterson, a state senator for 20 years and the state’s first black governor, took the oath of office.


Gov. Paterson delivers his inaugural speech as President Gregory Floyd, far right, looks on.

“I am pleased to see David Paterson rise to a well-deserved position of leadership. Over the years I have admired his work as a dedicated public servant with deep roots in the New York City communities that Local 237 serves,” said Floyd, noting that the new governor is also the son of one of Local 237’s lead attorneys, Basil Paterson, from the law firm Meyer, Suozzi, English and Klein. The elder Paterson is also a former state senator from Harlem and secretary of state of New York.

“I am confident,” added Floyd, “that David will enhance the proud legacy of public service his father began and will continue to be an ally of working families.”

As former lieutenant governor under Eliot Spitzer, Paterson, a 53-year-old Democrat, was next in line and stepped up to the plate when Spitzer stepped down as a result of a prostitution scandal.

In his inaugural speech, Paterson, who is legally blind and a father of two teenagers, boldly professed a new path for Albany, emphasizing, “We are a government of laws and not individuals,” and he offered assurance that he could handle the job of restoring trust. “I know a little about finding one’s way through the dark.”

On day one, Paterson got straight to work signing five minor bills, including one that will make it easier for employees to donate blood. [See “New Law Protects Blood Donors,” below.]

Early this month, Paterson was deep in budget talks, which extended past the April 1 deadline, as he remained determined to cut spending amid what he called “a recession.” Cuts were “the last thing I ever would’ve wanted to do” as a new governor, Paterson was quoted as saying in The New York Times. “I used to advocate for some of the same programs that I actually just cut, but it had to be done.”

Tough choices are part of every leader’s job, but some choices benefit the wealthy while others help level the playing field. The new state budget will test Paterson’s vow to put the state back on track. We expect he will be an even-handed leader at the helm through these turbulent times.

New Law Protects Blood Donors An act to amend the labor law permitting employees to use leave time for blood donation was signed by Gov. David Paterson on his first day in office, March 17. The bill, S6490 Nozzolio, the same as A9429 Gottfried, made clarifications to the original bill and would guarantee employees sufficient time to donate blood while providing employers with options on how to most conveniently meet its requirements. Under the law, employers must either grant employees three hours leave of absence in any 12 month period to donate blood, or allow employees with accumulated leave time to donate blood during work hours at least two times a year at a convenient time and place set by the employer, including allowing an employee to donate at a blood drive at the employee’s place of employment. The effective date is retroactive to Dec. 13, 2007, when the original law was signed in Chapter 578 of the Laws of 2007.