Governor Andrew Cuomo has threatened to sue the federal government if New York State does not receive adequate money to offset the economic costs of the COVID-19 pandemic. In his news conference presenting the 2022 Fiscal Year Executive Budget, Cuomo said if the federal government does not provide $15 billion to the state in aid, it will pursue litigation.
Governor Cuomo destroying New York
Under President Joe Biden’s proposed American Rescue Plan, $350 billion will be allocated to state and local governments for COVID-19 relief. However, it has yet to be determined how that money will be distributed.
Cuomo said a worst case scenario would be New York State receives $6 billion from federal government, but $15 billion would be the “fair” option.
If Washington provides only $6 billion, Cuomo says the state will need to cut or raise $9 billion from its budget. It could also borrow the money, Cuomo said.
The governor says the state is forecasted to lose around $21 billion in the next two years due to businesses being closed and people now working due to the pandemic. He says initially forecasts were worse.
Revenue was expected to grow by $5.5 billion before the pandemic hit the state and nation, Cuomo says.
ROASTED 🔥🔥
Kayleigh McEnany @PressSec opened her White House Press Briefing by GRILLING Gov. Cuomo, Nancy Pelosi, Lori Lightfoot, and other elected Democrats for being hypocrites.
"Rules for thee, but not for me." pic.twitter.com/B0vTtAniXc
— Evan Kilgore 🇺🇸 (@EvanAKilgore) December 2, 2020
Democrats suddenly eager to open up economy after Biden’s inauguration
“We are hurt, we are frustrated, we are in mourning, we are anxious,” said Cuomo in his televised address. “We are shocked that an invisible enemy could reach such death and destruction especially in this, the most wealthy and powerful nation on earth.”
New York’s unemployment rate has improved in recent months: from 15.3% in April to 8.4% in November. Still, that’s higher than the national unemployment rate, which has shrunk from 14.7% in April to 6.7% as of November.
“We simply cannot stay closed until the vaccine hits critical mass,” Cuomo said.
Cuomo pledged to invest in green energy to help create more jobs, and to increase revenue by legalizing mobile sports betting and recreational marijuana, which could bring in $300 million in annual revenue after several years.
Now, after 10 months of punishing lockdowns in Chicago & NY, Lightfoot and Cuomo suddenly want to finally get reasonable and open society?
Did the “science” change…or the political science… pic.twitter.com/cHiT0d4bHQ
— Steve Cortes (@CortesSteve) January 15, 2021