What state officials projected as a $5 billion deficit three months ago has grown to $6.4 billion.

Governor David Paterson laid out those numbers - which pertain to the 2009-2010 state budget - during a five-minute television and radio address this evening. He's calling legislators back to Albany for an August 19 special session to address the problem.

"Next year's budget process starts now," Paterson said.

The governor offered few specifics, saying only that state government needs to look at its workforce and spending. He also called for public-private partnerships.

Reaching consensus will be difficult. Some prominent state politicians, including Paterson, have started pressuring unions for concessions. Union supporters are already on the offensive.

"There's no way on earth we can cut our way out of this financial crisis," said Dan Cantor of the labor-aligned Working Families Party, before Paterson's speech. Cantor was a guest on WNET, one of the public television stations broadcasting the address.

Instead, the wealthy should be taxed more, he said after Paterson was done.

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos has called the senate back to work on August 8.