Peterson slams state GOP for turning their back on youth.

State Senate Democratic Leader David Paterson on Tuesday blasted as "shortsighted" an emergency appropriations Republican sponsored bill that slashed $10 million from the $25 million funding for youth summer jobs. Paterson said these cuts could result in 20,000 children between ages of 12 and 14 being left without jobs this summer. Paterson stressed the importance of giving children direction especially during the summer months, when boredom and free time often lead to trouble for teenagers. Paterson also said that many families depend on summer day camps to provide a structured, affordable and safe environment for their children.