With his approval rating plummeting by the day and thousands of angry New Yorkers urging him to find other ways to raise state revenue, Gov. David Paterson has decided to put a cork in his plan to impose dozens of “nuisance” taxes on recreational items.

Two state officials confirm that Gov. David Paterson will announce that federal stimulus funds will allow him to eliminate proposals to enact or raise a series of taxes and fees covering everything from music downloads to sugar-filled drinks.

The Democrat is scheduled to announce the decision with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith.

The state officials who confirmed the agreement spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak before the announcement.

The announcement is expected to include elimination of many of the dozens of taxes and fees in Paterson’s mid-December budget proposal. The taxes and fees were supposed to raise more than $1 billion to help close a deficit.

Paterson had planned to mandate a sales tax on numerous items including digital music and movie downloads; satellite television and radio; cable television; entertainment venues such as theaters, race tracks, bowling alleys, swim clubs, golf clubs, movies, sporting events, and amusement parks.

Other proposed taxes included an 18 percent “fat tax” on soda, and he wanted to tax the full price of an item when a coupon is used.

Paterson was also going to eliminate the no-tax rule on clothing under $110, but will nix that idea, too.

(Source: Associated Press)