Senator Griffo calls for more federal money to help New Yorkers By Luke Perry
New York Senate Deputy Minority Leader Joe Griffo (R, District 47) called for additional federal assistance in the form of new aid and economic stimulus. Griffo told Talk of the Town (WUTQ in Utica) that the previous stimulus bill was a welcome and necessary first step in response to the current “economic calamity,” but “could be done a little differently and better.”
Upstate cities and regions are worried about the impact of $10 to 15 billion in lost state revenue from the coronavirus pandemic. The state legislature recently passed a $177 billion budget, but Governor Cuomo has the ability to cut $10 billion in state spending moving forward.
“There will probably be cuts that have to be made,” Griffo said, and “potentially this could affect a number of areas, though this remains to be determined.”
Photo by the White House
Griffo believes there will be additional economic recovery initiatives passed by Congress and these should include three major parts.
First, Griffo called for more direct assistance to individuals. “People are hurting and struggling,” Griffo explained. “They are going to continue to need different ways to help them to ease this burden,” including those who have lost their jobs and those who are having difficulty fulfilling basic needs.
Second, Griffo believes businesses need more support, particularly small businesses. “A lot of businesses have been adversely impacted as a result of government action,” Griffo contended.
Third, Griffo believes there needs to be more “government to government” aid and subsidies. Griffo contends this should take two forms.
The first should be subsidies that go directly into the state budget to help mitigate lost revenue. The second involves specific categories for local government and education, which should go directly to counties, cities, and villages.
Governor Cuomo now has the power to adjust the budget quarterly based on fiscal conditions and revenue. “As we stand right now, that will be a problem,” Griffo said, “it will affect programs, from education to potential capital projects, to a number of things.” This will be determined over time and be contingent on evolving priorities.
Griffo hopes the President and Congress will go further with federal support. He is “hopeful” this will happen and the economy will rebound.
Luke Perry (@PolSciLukePerry) is Professor of Government at Utica College
