Governor Andrew Cuomo has been critical of federal stimulus efforts to date, and on Wednesday gasoline was thrown on that fire.
Sen. Mitch McConnell called any stimulus plan that grants billions to large states like New York or California ‘Blue State Bailouts’, and noted that representatives need to be aware of overall spending during and after the pandemic.
Stephen Acquario, executive director of the New York State Association of Counties tells NY State of Politics that if funding doesn’t come from the federal government – local economies and municipalities will be devastated.
“It’s unsustainable. It would devastate local governments,” Acquario explained. “We’re going to have to lay off workers. No one wants to lay off workers. We need workers to help deliver public services, but without the funding and the longer that this goes, we’re going to see more and more 10 to 20 counties begin to furlough and lay off the public workforce.”
Local municipalities have been working hard to cut spending where possible, but noted that significant cuts would be necessary – far beyond anyone’s ordinary expectations – if federal funding is not secured.
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