in april 2008, paterson asked the heads of all state agencies to cut their budgets by 3.35% and threatened a hiring freeze; the governor also asked legislative leaders to follow suit. in august 2008, he called a special emergency session of the legislature and enacted 6% across-the-board cuts in all state agencies. he called another special session in november 2008 to trim an additional 3%, but this effort did not meet with success.