ALBANY – Gov. Paterson’s plans to lease state facilities to private investors got a stinging public slap from legislative leaders yesterday.

“I remain reluctant,” said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan). “I am unconvinced.”

The proposal, first reported by The Post, would enlist outside firms and investors to carry out everything from building schools in Yonkers to operating the Gowanus Expressway in Brooklyn.

Senate Finance Chairman Carl Kruger (D-Brooklyn) scoffed at the “fire sale,” calling it a distraction from other ideas to cut costs.

“What I don’t want to see is us starting to sell off tangible assets that are long-term revenue streams and that potentially have a tremendous intrinsic value to the state,” Kruger said.

A spokesman for Senate Democrats said they will entertain “all responsible proposals.”