Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver answers questions from reporters following Governor Andrew Cuomo's budget proposal in Albany. Silver said the governor "did a great job" in outlining the budget so legislators can identify those areas they believe need more attention.

The Speaker said he looked forward to the Joint Legislative Public Hearings on the SFY 2012-2013 Executive Budget to determine how New Yorkers feel about the governor's financial plan. Silver also credited the governor for addressing mandate relief by calling for a spending cap on Medicaid, one of the most expensive programs facing the taxpayers of local governments throughout the state.