Gov. Andrew Cuomo to unveil state budget Tuesday; plans to detail how to fill $6 billion deficit

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is set to reveal his 2020-21 budget Tuesday that includes the legalization of recreational marijuana and plans to fill a $6 billion budget deficit, which according to Newsday is threatening funding for schools and health care.

News 12 Staff

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Jan 20, 2020, 4:11 PM

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Updated 1,551 days ago

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo is set to unveil his 2020-21 budget Tuesday that includes the legalization of recreational marijuana and plans to fill a $6 billion budget deficit, which according to Newsday is threatening funding for schools and health care.

Entering his 10th year as governor, Cuomo faces one of his biggest challenges yet- a budget deficit estimated to be between $6 and $8 billion.

There are fears that this deficit might mean cuts in school aid, changes to property taxes on Long Island, tax hikes and new fees.

Northport Republican and Minority Leader of the State Senate John Flanagan says GOP lawmakers will oppose and the deficit should be dealt with the same way past deficits were handled.

"We didn't raise taxes. We curtailed spending, we made hard choices. And as a Long Islander, I know we did everything conceivable to provide equity to Long Island", says Flanagan.

State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, a Democrat from the Bronx, says he prefers raising revenue rather than cutting spending, something many economists say is wrong.

Economist Marty Cantor says the state needs to dramatically change its budget practices.

"What has to be done is evenly deal with expenses and revenues and make the state a place where people who drive the economy will want to live," says Cantor.

All 213 state legislators are up for reelection this fall. That means they have to prove to their constituents they were able to protect their interests in a very difficult year economically.