KINGSTON – The state was facing a $7 billion deficit going into the 2020-2021 budget, which is due by the end of the month, but with the coronavirus here, the financial shortfall is expected to be even greater.
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, in Kingston on Wednesday, said he expects the short-term state budget dilemma to be more troublesome.
“By April 1st we have to come up with a spending plan for the coming year. That’s a very tall order for the legislature and the governor. These numbers are all speculative, but we have to assume in the short run it’s a worst-case scenario,” he said.
DiNapoli said hopefully by this time next year the state will have rebounded, but for now, we will see “severe economic damage.”
