Trump Considers Funding Major NYC Infrastructure Projects: Cuomo

NEW YORK CITY — Donald Trump will consider funding massive New York City infrastructural projects to supercharge the economy, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said after his meeting with the president Wednesday.

"He's a builder, he's a developer," said Cuomo. "He gets it."

Cuomo came to Washington D.C. to pitch Trump on large projects he believes could create jobs and generate revenue in New York City amid an economic crisis spurred by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

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Trump and Cuomo had a "good conversation" and are slated to meet again next week to discuss the projects pitched: the Second Avenue Subway extension, the La Guardia Airport air train and Cross-Hudson Tunnels repairs, the governor said.

Cuomo said he chose projects that might appeal to Trump as a former New Yorker and a president who ran on the unfulfilled promise of investing $1 trillion in American infrastructure.

"I think the president is focused on stimulating the economy, as he should be," Cuomo said. "I think he understands these are projects that need to be done."

Cuomo's conversation took place just as Mayor Bill de Blasio told New York City it now faces a $9 billion deficit in the budget it is required by law to pass in June, more than $1 billion higher than initially projected.

De Blasio once again pleaded with the federal government and Cuomo for extra funds to pad his "wartime" $89.3 billion budget, saying he would have to cut basic services and lay off city workers without help.

New York City may have lost as many as 900,000 jobs amid Cuomo's stay-at-home order, which began in mid-March and is expected to last until mid-June, according to Comptroller Scott Stringer.

The projects, which Cuomo estimated Tuesday could creates tens of thousands of jobs, also don't require further legislation, the New York governor said.

"If he gives us the green light it's not going to be years of discussion," Cuomo promised. "I have a shovel in the trunk of my car ... We can just get it up and running."

When asked why Cuomo focused specifically on New York City, the state governor argued the projects would have a national impact.

"That's what we would do if we were smart," said Cuomo. "You're not going to see this nation get up and start running unless we do it together."

Cuomo also took advantage of a national audience to lambast Republican lawmakers who have derided a "Blue State Bailout" that would send stimulus to areas hit hardest by COVID-19, such as New York and California.

"If you cause chaos on the state and local level, how does that help a nation striving to recover economically?" Cuomo said. "How can you tell one third of the country to go to heck?"

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