Election Limbo Leaves NYC Stimulus Chances Up In Air

NEW YORK CITY — Hopes for federal stimulus to buoy cash-strapped New York City and the MTA could hinge on as-yet too close to call Election Day results.

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Wednesday repeated predictions that the city likely will receive federal aid to help recover from the coronavirus crisis, regardless of whether Democratic candidate Joe Biden or President Donald Trump ekes out a clear victory.

His tone was slightly-less bullish than Tuesday, when he declared “all signs point to not just a stimulus, but a huge stimulus” if Biden wins and Democrats take control of the Senate.

Votes are still being counted in several states and, as of Wednesday morning, the presidential race is too close to call and Democratic chances of taking the Senate appear narrowing. But de Blasio said even a Republican-led Senate can deliver help to the city.

“I think if you’ve got a Democratic president, a Democratic House and very closely-split Senate, clearly you have the basis for a major stimulus,” he said.

But that’s only one potential outcome.

De Blasio said if Trump prevails that there would still be strong political pressure for him to deliver a stimulus, albeit a smaller one than likely under a potential Biden presidency.

“That said, the president has been mercurial to say the least on the question of stimulus,” he said.

De Blasio repeated warnings that without federal aid that city government would have to cut staff and services.