By Kevin Deutsch
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Mayor Bill de Blasio renewed his call Monday for the federal government to provide another round of COVID-19 stimulus funds, warning of “dire” consequences if the city cannot close a projected $4 billion budget gap.
“Federal stimulus works, and New York City needs another, immediately,” de Blasio said. “From ramping up testing to investing in safe schools to feeding everyone in need, our priorities are clear: public health will drive our recovery. The federal government must do its part and pass a stimulus package that ensures our recovery can continue full speed ahead.”
The mayor said the pandemic has put more than 900,000 city residents out of work. Between April and September, about $40 billion in federal stimulus money was used to soften the economic blow, much of it on unemployment benefits and paycheck protection.
So far, Congress has been unable to negotiate a new stimulus package.
“That gap could easily grow. If there’s not a stimulus, we’re going to see less and less revenue coming in,” de Blasio said. “If there’s not a stimulus, the state of New York is going to be in dire, dire shape, and, unfortunately, might have to pass on cuts to localities.”