Gov. David Paterson?s proposed reduction in the growth of school and municipal aid sounds painful to the ears of many Long Islanders, who fear an increase in property taxes.

?We are recommending that we reduce the growth of our education budget from 9 percent to 5 percent,? Paterson said in his announcement Wednesday. ?This is not a cut."

President-elect of the Suffolk County School Superintendent Association Wendell Chu disagrees. He says it absolutely is a cut, adding that contracts for teachers and cleric al personal will have to be paid by someone, even if it doesn?t come from the state.

Paterson's plan also stops an increase in state aid to local municipalities for 2009. Town of Islip Supervisor Phil Nolan says he will do his best not to raise taxes given the proposed budget cuts by taking other measures. However, he says he can?t make any promises to taxpayers.

Paterson says he'll also be looking to advance legislation that would allow school districts to use money from their employee reserve funds.

Click to hear what other parts of Paterson?s plan has Long Islanders worried