New York State is still in the red and Governor David Paterson wants to make $3-billion dollars in cuts to get us out of this fiscal mess. On Monday, local groups that have funding on the chopping block will make their case for why they should be spared.

The Senate Finance Committee has held four public hearings around the state about the proposed mid-year budget cuts. This is the first time the budgetary process has been taken outside of Albany and brought into communities. Tomorrow its Western New York's turn.

New York State's Senate Finance Committee is going to face a tough crowd. More than 50 groups are lined up to speak at the hearing. "Tomorrow is an opportunity to listen to people, have them make their case on why they should or should not be cut. And yes, some of the decisions will not be that popular," said State Senator Antoine Thompson.

The groups testifying at the hearing include big organizations like Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Kaleida Health, and Canisius College. This past Thursday, students at the University at Buffalo held rallies to protest any further state cuts that will cause tuition to increase.

"Its something we feel is extremely important to speak out against because everyone has the right to an education, that's the purpose of public education," said Jennifer Lewis, a UB SUNY Delegate.

Smaller groups that provide health care, education and other public services are also expected to speak at the hearing. Western New York's Senate delegation of Thompson and Bill Stachowski will be present to listen to the testimony.

"I believe that most people expect some type of cut. Some groups don't want to cut because of a variety of reasons and that's the challenge, to try to lessen that," said Thompson.

But the budgetary problem is huge. Albany's out-of-control spending combined with major miscalculations on how much money would actually be flowing into state coffers this year are what's causing the current and likely future deficit.

"Our deficit has now grown to $3.2 billion and we are reassessing our 2010-2011 budget to $6.8 billion dollars," said Paterson.

The hearing starts tomorrow at 10am at the UAW building on George Karl Blvd. In Williamsville.