David Friedfel, the director of State Studies for the Citizens Budget Commission (CBCNY), told Capital Tonight on Tuesday that the longer the state waits to make budget cuts the more painful they will be.
This comes as county officials around the state wait for federal aid to help balance the state’s budget.
“This is a multi-year problem which cannot be papered over,” said Friedfel. “Next year’s gap is about $17 billion.”
He said the gap is comprised of an $8.4 billion hole, plus $700 million in cuts to state operations that are yet to be determined, and $8 billion in aid to localities cuts.
He was not optimistic about federal aid coming in the near future. Friedfel said that instead of waiting for it – take action now so communities around the state can prepare.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].