Cuomo: State preparing two budget scenarios based on federal aid

Published

4 years ago

January 19, 2021

Cuomo: State preparing two budget scenarios based on federal aid

ALBANY, N.Y. — Gov. Andrew Cuomo says New York’s Fiscal Year 2022 Executive Budget will be based on how much the state gets in federal aid.

In his budget presentation Tuesday, Cuomo said the state has drafted two scenarios: One where the state receives $6 billion in aid, and one where it receives $15 billion in aid. We’ve been telling you for months, the state is looking to close a nearly $15 billion budget gap, that’s between last year and this year.

As part of a $1.9 trillion plan to expand coronavirus vaccinations and boost the economy, President-Elect Joe Biden included roughly $350 billion to help states, and Cuomo says New York would be receiving a “fair share” if it received $15 billion. He said the “worst-case” is if the state got $6 billion, because he says the state would have to make cuts, and raise revenues to equal roughly $9 billion, which would have the state looking at tough decisions during an already tough time.

Additionally, Cuomo is once again pushing for the legalization of recreational pot, with mobile sports betting also expected to be included. The governor says both would bring in more revenue for the state. Additionally, in his four-part State of the State address last week, he outlined a seven-part plan, which included defeating the coronavirus down to a green economy program, and addressing social injustice, among other topics.