Change is never easy, but it is the only way we can put New York back

An 18% sales tax on non-diet soda. A 14% hike in public college tuition. The elimination of a tax rebate for homeowners.

These are but a few of the Spartan steps New York state Gov. David Paterson proposed Tuesday to close a projected record $13.7 billion deficit in the state's 2009-2010 budget. A broad swath of New Yorkers -- from school children to Medicaid recipients to transit riders -- will see cuts in their services. Meanwhile, drivers and parkgoers will pay higher fees.

"Change is never easy, but it is the only way we can put New York back on the road toward fiscal and economic recovery," Paterson said in a message to residents posted on the New York state Division of the Budget Web site. The budget "seeks shared sacrifice from all New Yorkers and includes reductions across virtually every area of government."

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