Apr 30

Apr 30 NY-22 Minute: Rep. Brindisi concerned about reopening businesses too early, lack of federal assistance for New York By Luke Perry

Rep. Anthony Brindisi recently expressed concern about easing COVID-related health restrictions too soon. Brindisi told Keeler in the Morning (WIBX in Utica) that it would be “really devastating to our economy” if New York businesses reopen “and then shut down again because we have a second wave of this pandemic come through.” Brindisi believes the “the key is not opening too early.”

“Social distancing is probably going to be part of our lives at least until there is a vaccine and we fully have this virus under control,” Brindisi said. The region can be responsible in terms of public health, while opening up the economy, but this has to be guided by scientific analysis.

The economy shrunk by 4.8 percent in the first quarter of 2020, the biggest fall since 2008 and the Great Recession. Brindisi believes the economic situation would be even worse without stimulus legislation passed by Congress.

“You want to be spending at a time like this, when the economy is bad, to help stimulate things,” Brindisi explained, “but you do have to strike that right balance because we are taking on a lot of debt.” The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office projects this year’s federal budget deficit will be $3.7 trillion, the largest share of the economy since World War II.

Guaranteeing insurance coverage is a priority for Brindisi. “A lot of businesses are turning to their insurance carriers right now because they thought they have things like business interruption insurance,” Brindisi explained. “Many insurance carriers are denying coverage for that right now.”

Brindisi believes that “insurance companies are responsible for these business interruptions that are no fault of the business, like a pandemic.” Brindisi called for adopting a program similar to the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program, established after 9/11 to provide public and private compensation for insured losses resulting from acts of terrorism.

Business owners have shared concerns that recently elevated unemployment assistance, an additional $600 per week, may deter people from returning to work. Lawmakers arrived at this amount “by the average of the fifty states,” Brindisi said. The “temporary bump,” which runs through July, is to “help make people whole.”

Brindisi said if someone has a job, and decides not to work because they prefer to collect unemployment, “you are actually in violation of the program and you can get in trouble.” He encouraged people take to advantage of all employment opportunities, particularly in this economic climate.

Brindisi said Senate Major Leader Mitch McConnell’s comments about “stopping blue state bailouts” and adopting legislation allowing states to declare bankruptcy were “heartless.” Brindisi asked people to imagine what it would be like if President George W. Bush went to ground zero after 9/11 and told New Yorkers he would not help them because they live in a blue state.

McConnell’s view is “ridiculous,” Brindisi said “We are all Americans and we have to come together.” The federal government should help New York because this is the “epicenter for this pandemic.” State and local governments will be forced to make budget cuts without assistance.

“That’s going to mean laying off police officers, firefighters,” Brindisi explained. “You’ve already seen furloughs happening in hospitals, teachers. It’s going to a get a lot worse if New York is forced to close this budget hole ourselves.”

Rep. Brindisi is hosting a telephone townhall on the coronavirus this evening at 5pm. Constituents can join by calling 855-614-0159 or sign up in advance to receive the call.

Luke Perry (@PolSciLukePerry) is Professor of Government at Utica College

Read NY-22 Minute for timely and comprehensive analysis of NY-22 politics and campaigns