New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) is concerned about the government’s hesitation to help out financially stricken states facing economic impacts of the coronavirus outbreak.
During Cuomo’s coronavirus press briefing on Monday, he shared his opinion of the lastest stimulus bill, which did not include funding for states.
Despite Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) previous remarks suggesting he would be open for states to file bankruptcy instead of asking for a bailout, Cuomo is reiterating his point that New York has given far more to the federal government than it receives.
“Nobody would be bailing out New York state. New York state has been bailing them out every year for decades,” Cuomo said. “If you want to do an analysis of who is a giver and who is a taker, we are the number one giver.”
The Democratic governor also argues that ignoring the states’ funding needs comes across as a way of ignoring frontline workers — first responders, hospital workers, police officers, firefighters — whose pay usually falls under state budgets.
Cuomo: "Who happen to be the donor states? Who are the giver states? They are the same states that they are talking about now. Who are the taker states? Kentucky, Southeast part of the country." pic.twitter.com/kelqvlfd7v
— The Hill (@thehill) April 27, 2020
Due to the current state of the country and how states arrived at this point, Cuomo also insists now is not the time to focus on who contributed more or less.
“It’s not the time to be saying, ‘Well you put in a dollar more than I did, or I put in $5 more than you did,’” Cuomo said.
Cuomo’s comments came shortly after President Donald Trump tweets. Like McConnell, Trump does not appear to be in favor of the federal government bailing out states.
Trump tweeted wondering why the federal government should have to bailout states. The president also claimed that most “poorly run states” are run by Democrats.
This president tweeted, “Why should the people and taxpayers of America be bailing out poorly run states (like Illinois, as example) and cities, in all cases Democrat run and managed, when most of the other states are not looking for bailout help? I am open to discussing anything, but just asking?”
Why should the people and taxpayers of America be bailing out poorly run states (like Illinois, as example) and cities, in all cases Democrat run and managed, when most of the other states are not looking for bailout help? I am open to discussing anything, but just asking?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 27, 2020
Despite his question, the president did say he is “open to discussing anything.” Trump also reiterated that he was merely asking a question.