New York sends more money to the federal government than it gets back in services and other spending. It's a gap that Comptroller Tom DiNapoli's office says is getting bigger.
"It's probably not a surprise that we would be sending more money than we would be getting back," DiNapoli said. "But the trend is certainly not going in a favorable direction."
DiNapoli's office, in a report Tuesday, found a $41 billion difference in the amount it receives versus what New Yorkers pay in taxes to the federal government -- an 84-cent-per-dollar gap that has increased in the last three years. Part of that is due to a recovered economy. But it could also mean trouble for New Yorkers who rely on services should spending cuts take effect.
Meanwhile, elected officials on both sides of the aisle are knocking a proposal to end state and local deduction of taxes.
Republican Rep. Tom Reed says more details are needed on the tax reform plan, but noted the gap in money sent by New York and what's given back is troubling.
"The strongest argument that we have when we're dealing with the low-tax states advocating for the removal of the state and local deduction, we throw this exact stat back at them saying, 'well, New York gives more to the federal government than we get back,' " said Reed.
Governor Andrew Cuomo has raised the possibility of a lawsuit over tax reform. DiNapoli says pressure, too, needs to be brought on Congress should the legality of it hold up.
"It might merit consideration by a court to see if that's appropriate," DiNapoli said, "but my guess in the long run is, if this something Congress approves, my guess is it might hold up."
A congressional timeline for a full vote on tax reform could take weeks, if not months, to finalize.