Cuomo Endorses Empire State Equity Act

Governor Andrew Cuomo is endorsing the "Empire State Equity Act."

It's federal legislation that would deliver property tax relief to New Yorkers by increasing federal funding for New York's Medicaid program.

New York State currently contributes as much as $30 billion more in taxes to the federal budget than it receives back in services.

Cuomo says the bill would help level the playing field and provide New York with an additional $2.3 billion in Medicaid funds.  The Governor says the state would use the money to eliminate the local share of Medicaid for any county that agrees to lower property taxes by an equal amount.

"While some members of Congress are content to play political games at the expense of their constituents, I'm proud to join members of the New York Congressional Delegation in support of this legislation, which provides much-needed property tax relief while protecting New York's healthcare system," Cuomo said. "This measure doesn’t rob Peter to pay Paul, it provides real savings for New Yorkers. This state pays much more to the federal government than it gets in return, and I urge Congress to do the right thing by passing this bill and helping to level the playing field between New York and the rest of the nation once and for all."