ALBANY - Local governments in fiscal crisis lobbying for a sympathetic ear from Gov. Andrew Cuomo are getting a cold shoulder instead.
To local governments seeking relief from unfunded state mandates, Cuomo says Monday he already did that.
To local governments seeking a state bailout, Cuomo said forget about it.
The mayors and county executives of municipalities statewide say they can't continue without some state help as tax bases shrink and the cost of services rises.
Local officials say that without state help, their only recourse is to continue to increase taxes.
Cuomo says they have to make tough cuts and choices or make the politically difficult argument to residents that they need to raise taxes again.
The recession strained local and state governments. Cuomo had to face a $10 billion deficit.