Governor Andrew Cuomo is trying to lead by example by cutting his own salary, and pay for some of his top aides. This comes after he announced plans to propose a year-long wage freeze for state workers in his State of the State address Wednesday. Erin Billups has more.

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ALBANY, N.Y. -- To show just how serious he is about curbing the state's out of control spending, Governor Andrew Cuomo is taking the axe to his own annual salary of $179,000.

"I believe in the old adage 'lead by example,' so I'll be cutting my salary 5%. The lieutenant Governor has agreed to cut his salary five percent."

And so has the Governor's executive staff. This comes after news that Cuomo plans to freeze state employees pay for one year, all in an effort to close the state's $9 billion and growing budget deficit.

"We're going to need everyone to sacrifice and that includes members of the labor community also," said Cuomo.

One lawmaker says Cuomo's move is helpful symbolism.

"When he goes to the unions, asking them to make sacrifices, at least he can now say, 'we did a sacrifice, and so should you,'" said Gary Pretlow, an Assembly Democrat from Mount Vernon.

And while the state employees unions, still reeling off of Former Governor Paterson New Year's Eve layoffs of 900 workers, say they'd rather sit down and negotiate with the Governor privately, and not through the press, they are at least willing to talk.

"If there's some fairness and respect in the relationship, and that the administration comes and seeks to work with us in good faith that we can find some common ground to move forward," said Stephen Madarasz, CSEA spokesman.

Cuomo, however, says whatever is agreed to will not be a short-term fix.

"This is a multiple year problem, and we're going to need a multi-year solution," said Cuomo. "Whether or not it's a freeze, that's going to be a discussion at the table."

While following the Governor's lead to make government physically more accessible by removing barriers blocking access to the Senate Majority offices, the New Majority leader says he agrees with the pay freeze. But, Dean Skelos says Cuomo's personal salary cut will only get him so far.

"I think what people are really looking for is for us to bring our government under control fiscally, that's what they want right now. It has to be more than symbolism, it has to be action and results," said Skelos, the Senate Majority Leader.

On Wednesday, Cuomo will give his State of the State address, where he plans to outline his plan to fix Albany.