Gov. Cuomo Says He'll Take 5 Percent Pay Cut

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he's taking a 5 percent pay cut, along with five top aides and Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy.

Cuomo says he'll return to the state that portion of the $179,000 governor's salary, which was set by law in 1999.

It amounts to $8,950.

Staff in the Executive Chamber agreeing to similar cuts from their predecessors' salaries are the governor's secretary, counsel, director of state operations, counselor and chief of staff.

Other chamber expenses are also under review.

Cuomo says Monday that New Yorkers have learned to do more with less in order to live within their means, and the government has to do the same.

He has proposed a pay freeze for the state's nearly 200,000 employees to help deal with a looming $9 billion budget deficit.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)