Gov. Andrew Cuomo in an interview on Sunday called his effort to gain more \u201cflexibility\u201d over the budget after its approval a \u201cmajor sticking point\u201d with lawmakers, but a necessary move given the potential for federal actions that could negatively impact the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was a big sticking point in the budget,\u201d Cuomo said in an interview with John Catsimatidis, a New York City businessman and campaign donor, on AM 970.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy point was I don\u2019t know what\u2019s going to happen this year. If you listen to the federal government, a lot of people have declared war on New York.\u201d<\/p>\n
The $163 billion spending plan agreement announced on Friday gives Cuomo the power through his administration\u2019s budget office to make changes to the budget after it is approved.<\/p>\n
The agreement allows the Legislature to develop and approve its own plan alternative to the governor\u2019s within 90 days, or Cuomo\u2019s action takes effect.<\/p>\n
Cuomo is worried about changes to the state and local deduction as well potential cuts to Medicaid spending from the federal government. He had initially backed a model that would fund the government on an extender basis if he had not received the post-budgetary powers.<\/p>\n
Cuomo had previously railed against a Republican-backed effort in Congress to shift the Medicaid burden carried by county governments in New York to the state.<\/p>\n
He called the new powers he\u2019s received a \u201cfederal financial response mechanism.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s not do a budget and let\u2019s stay flexible and go month to month to figure it out or you need to give me flexibility to make cuts in this budget to adjust to it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n