#Gov. Cuomo says NY needs $30 billion thanks to coronavirus

Gov. Andrew Cuomo warned Thursday that New York will need an influx of $30 billion from the federal government over the next two years to plug its growing deficit, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We will have to take drastic measures if the federal government doesn’t do what is responsible to help state and local governments,” Cuomo told reporters during a conference call.

Additionally, the governor said that the state-run MTA is in need of $12 billion and the Port Authority, which oversees airports, bridges and tunnels in New York and New Jersey, needs $3 billion.

Cuomo said the MTA will also “have to take dramatic actions” if the federal government does not cough up the cash.

“All they can do is raise tolls and fares,” Cuomo said of the MTA.

The governor is hoping that the federal government’s next COVID-19 relief package will contain additional aid for struggling state and local governments amid the health crisis.

He said he was going to meet with New York’s “federal officials” later Thursday.

Cuomo has been facing pressure from leaders in the state Legislature to raise taxes on New York’s wealthiest in order to avoid severe cuts in government services, but he has pushed back on the idea.

The governor said Wednesday that he has been begging the rich to return to New York City from their second-home retreats so they can pay taxes to help cover the revenue shortfall.

Cuomo even joked that he would take them out to dinner or cook for them.

Meanwhile, Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday took a shot at Cuomo for trying to lure the rich back to the Big Apple and said he would like to raise taxes on the wealthy if federal coronavirus aid doesn’t come through.