Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveils state budget amid $6B deficit

Gov. Andrew Cuomo laid out his spending plan for 2020 Tuesday as the state deals with a massive budget shortfall.

News 12 Staff

Jan 21, 2020, 4:30 PM

Updated 1,562 days ago

Share:

Gov. Andrew Cuomo laid out his spending plan for 2020 Tuesday as the state deals with a massive budget shortfall.
Cuomo sounded confident that his proposed budget will erase a $6 billion deficit, but there is some concern among Long Island legislators from both political parties.
The governor proposed a revamping of how the state distributes school aid, raising red flags among suburban legislators. While Cuomo proposed a 3% increase in education aid, he said the majority of that increase should go to poorer districts.
State Senate Minority Leader John Flanagan and other Republican critics say changing the school aid formula will likely mean shifting funds from suburban school districts to the city.
"This is pitting school districts against each other, regions against each other," said Flanagan.
Democratic State Sen. Todd Kaminsky of Long Beach says no one should jump to the conclusion that Long Island schools will get shortchanged.
"Our conference is going to fight to make sure our schools are funded properly," said Kaminsky. "We have middle class schools that some parts of the state consider wealthy, but we don't."
While Cuomo didn't give details, he said the state's deficit could be taken care of by slowing down spending and an overhaul of Medicaid. One proposal is having counties pay for any Medicaid increases that are over 3% from the year before.
The Assembly and state Senate, both led by Democrats, will now spend the next couple of months making changes to the spending plan.
The governor also briefly mentioned the bail reform controversy, saying that changes need to be made.


More from News 12
2:46
SBU officials: 29 people arrested on campus as students hold pro-Palestinian protest

SBU officials: 29 people arrested on campus as students hold pro-Palestinian protest

3:35
Warm temps today ahead of some wet weather for the weekend

Warm temps today ahead of some wet weather for the weekend

1:03
Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

1:55
Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

0:23
3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

1:54
Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

0:25
Suffolk police: Plane lands safely on Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai

Suffolk police: Plane lands safely on Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai

1:37
Public hearing held on Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital's filing for additional parking

Public hearing held on Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital's filing for additional parking

1:21
DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

2:05
'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

0:13
School officials: Cyberattack causes internet, phone outage at Mineola Public Schools

School officials: Cyberattack causes internet, phone outage at Mineola Public Schools

1:51
Students like food, not prices, from food trucks brought in by NCC following dining services closure

Students like food, not prices, from food trucks brought in by NCC following dining services closure

0:32
Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

0:26
Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

0:24
Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:27
Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments

Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments