Posted by Dan Cummings:  Happy New Year!  If I may, here's something to look for from Albany as 2008 gets underway.  Next week, Governor Spitzer gives his 2nd state of the state address.  He's capable of giving a great speech and will need at least a very good one to shake off the remants of a less-than-stellar 2007.   His rookie year as Governor was marred by investigations, bitter partisan bickering, and some questionable political decisions by Spitzer himself, not the least of which was his proposal to offer NYS drivers licenses to illegal aliens...a plan he wisely backed away from after opposition mounted to the extreme.  Voters expected more from the Governor, and this year...you can look for him to shift some strategies and take a new approach.  It ought to start with Wednesday's speech.
 
The big challenge in Albany, though, may have less to do with politics and strategy...and much more to do with nuts and bolts accounting.  The best estimate says our state is staring down the barrel of a 4 and a half billion dollar deficit.  Republicans in the state senate want to offer more property tax relief...billions more.   The Governor says there will be no new taxes.  And, he wants to invest more in education and health care for children. So, where does the massive state budget get CUT on the spending side to accomplish at least some of these goals?  It sets the table for some difficult budget-making, to say the least.