Health Clinic Asks Governor to Restore Funding ALBANY, NEW YORK (WXXI) - Doctors from a volunteer health clinic in Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco's district who saw their funding cut begged Governor Spitzer to give the money back. The grant was rescinded after Tedisco spoke out against the governor's new driver's license plan for undocumented immigrants.

The $100,000 for the Schenectady health clinic, run by volunteer doctors, was rescinded, says Assemblyman Jim Tedisco, along with funds for member items for 21 other Assembly Republicans. The Assembly GOP has threatened to sue the governor over his plan to give driver's licenses to immigrants without social security numbers.

The director of the clinic, Bill Spolyar, who says he's not a political person, pleaded with the Governor to give the money back.

"We really are here to say to the governor please restore the funding," said Spolyar.

The governor's office has said the money was never promised, and could not be given out because of a looming state budget gap. But Assemblyman Tedisco has produced e-mails that he says proves the money for the clinic was on track, until he spoke out against the governor's license plan.

Meanwhile, Governor Spitzer, speaking in New York CIty, defended his driver's license plan, and said he'd picked up a new supporter. Former White House anti-terrorism expert Richard Clarke says the governor's plan will help make New Yorker's safer.

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