NEW YORK, NY December 09, 2008 —Governor Paterson is backing down from his pledge to avoid raising taxes to balance the state's budget. He says higher gas taxes will be needed to fill a $15 billion deficit over the next two years, and he defends his proposal to impose $5 tolls on the East River bridges to balance the MTA's books.

REPORTER: He says other options, such as higher gas taxes...have to be reserved for the state's general budget.

PATERSON: I agree with the Brooklyn elected officials, I don't want to do it, but I have to because that's the constitutional role that I play.

REPORTER: Paterson will outline his proposed budget for the next fiscal year, next Tuesday.