After calling for an up-or-down vote on his budget proposal and threatening state worker furloughs, Gov. David Paterson is poised to hold his second Capitol press conference in as many days this morning.

Public employee unions rejected the furlough plan, with CSEA President Danny Donohue calling it simply: “Nuts.”

Paterson needs legislative approval for his furlough proposal (unless he inserts it into the emergency extender bills), which doesn’t appear likely.

LG Dick Ravitch, who finds himself at odds with Paterson over borrowing, said state leaders are “not even close to an agreement” on the budget.

EJ McMahon calls the governor “the Jekyll and Hyde of fiscal responsibility” and says the late state budget presents him his best chance at a positive legacy.

Michael Goodwin thinks AG Andrew Cuomo is the luckiest man in the world.

Will the next AG be able to tackle Albany corruption once and for all?

Albany’s a mess, but at least it’s not the Ukraine.

An audit by NYC Comptroller John Liu found the Economic Development Corporation has failed to turn over to the city more than $125 million in payments, taxes and fees.

Lee Kyriacou’s attorney said the IG’s report that found his client misused state employees for personal errands demonstrates why it’s hard to get “attract accomplished private-sector individuals” to work in government.

Another day, another GOP block of Wall Street reform in Washington.

The Columbia County GOP decided not to endorse a candidate for governor, even after hearing a pitch for Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy by John Faso.

At least two of the GOP gubernatorial hopefuls will speak to the Cayuga County Conservatives Thursday.

Tom Robbins takes aim at Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr.’s campaign contributors, calling them “enablers.”

Sen. Kevin Parker’s latest blowup has an ally, Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr., concerned.

The DN chastises Parker.

Departing Deputy Mayor Ed Skyler has his work cut out for him at Citi.

US Senators grilled Goldman Sachs execs.

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano is having casino talks with the Shinnecocks.

Two county legislators are poised to challenge Sen. John Bonacic.

State lawmakers are pushing to expand New York’s organ donation system, which currently ranks last in the nation.

Chief Administrative Judge Ann Pfau pledged the $12 million Paterson wants to cut from the judiciary’s budget will be made up elsewhere.

DRC head Irene Stein thinks Cuomo will be “the star” of the straw poll in Niagara Falls this weekend, even though he’s still not an announced candidate for governor.

NYSTI employees are supporting their embattled producing director, calling the Inspector General’s report highly critical of her “seriously flawed” and “abhorrently distorted.”

NY-brewed Arizona iced tea is the target of misguided anger over Arizona’s new immigration law.

Mayor Bloomberg says the new law will “hurt all of America.”

NYU graduate students got support from Rep. Jerry Nadler and NYC Council Speaker Chris Quinn in their quest for the school to recognize their efforts to unionize.

Quinn and Bloomberg are divided over Wal-Mart.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is a fan of graduated licenses for young drivers.

Ballot access expert Richard Winger believes an Ohio case could have significant influence over the outcome of the soon-to-be-filed NY-29 special election lawsuit.

Democratic NY-29 hopeful Matt Zeller, a fan of green energy technology, is expected to formally announce his candidacy in Elmira today.

NY-23 candidate Doug Hoffman bought a house in NY-23 (Saranac Lake, to be exact).

Rep. Dan Maffei’s flood insurance bill was approved by a House panel.

Twenty-seven people accepted buyouts at The Buffalo News.

Viacom Inc. Chairman Sumner Redstone says Rupert Murdoch is wasting his money because newspapers will be gone in two years.

Former First Lady Laura Bush opens up about an old car crash in her new book.

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