Daily Budget News 4/9

Bloomberg: U.S. Initial Jobless Claims Fell to 654,000 Last Week

Bloomberg: U.S. Consumer Spending to Drop Again After Pickup, Survey Shows

Newsday: New York far outspends other big states

Reuters: NY MTA gives timeline for service cuts, talks go on

TU: Unions rail against layoff plan

Newsday: NY union bosses say layoffs would threaten lives

CBS: L.I. Furious At Paterson, Albany Over Budget Woes

Newsday: NY comptroller voids state fair's concert contract

Ithaca Journal: Survey finds wide range of prices for prescriptions in N.Y.

Democrat & Chronicle: New York charter schools to receive $51.5 million less than expected in state aid

Post-Standard: Gov. David Paterson announces $220 million in transportation money for CNY; almost 2,000 local jobs

Star Gazette: Paterson defends Empire Zone changes

Journal News: Dems to shell out little for GOP projects

NY Post: MIKE WARNS UNIONS: I'LL AX 7,000 WORKERS

NY Post: FEDS' GOWANUS TOXIC SHOCK

SI Advance: McMahon seeks $36.7M for Island organizations

North Country Gazette: Solar Plant Coming To Dutchess County

Newsday: 6 state workers in western NY admit fraud

Journal News: Councilwoman wants all Yonkers employees to pay for parking

Newsday: Freeport administration quickly raises their salaries

Journal News: Westchester executive’s ex-deputy gets $83G payout after exit

Daily News: City Council members who got 'queries' at hearing collected $26G from teachers union in past 3 years

NY Post: UNION SAYS ON CUE: WE'VE LEARNED OUR LESSON

Forbes (analysis): New HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan is a ''malignant optimist.'' Good thing.

NY Post (editorial): DAVE'S WRONG, AGAIN

Journal News (editorial): Paterson's cheers

Times Herald Record (editorial): Stop and smile for the camera at the red light

Star Gazette (editorial): Sen. Gillibrand should carry economic message to Albany as well as D.C.