Governor Cuomo's office says the state will go ahead and apply for President Trump's Lost Wages Assistance Program, now that the federal government has dropped the requirement that states contribute $100 per unemployed worker per week.
State Budget Director Robert Mujica says the state still wants the federal government to adopt a comprehensive aid package that supports state and local governments, but it won't let politics stop it from supporting New Yorkers who have lost their jobs.
Statement from State Budget Director Robert Mujica:
"Now that the federal government has blinked and will no longer make states provide funding they do not have, New York State will apply for the Lost Wages Assistance program. As Governor Cuomo has said, politics does not impact policy -- especially during a pandemic -- and if New Yorkers are in need, this administration will do everything we can to support them. But make no mistake, this does not absolve Washington from doing its job, and they must pass a comprehensive aid package that provides a stable extension of unemployment benefits, repeals the SALT cap and supports local and state governments. Anything else would simply be unacceptable."