New York nurses protest proposals to cut hospital funding

Nurses in gared at epicenter of New York's COVID-19 outbreak Wednesday to demand federal and state lawmakers maintain funding levels for hospitals despite a huge budget shortfall by state, and a Congress delocked on aid.

"We have been working tirelessly here during COVID season, and we are exhausted and we need m t to cut," said Anthony Graniela, a nurse at Elmhurst hospital.

Local state lawmakers also joined New York State Nurses Association at protest, calling for tax increases on New York's wealthiest to bolster hospital funding, as well as action from Trump ministration and Congress.

In mid-May, Democratic-led U.S. House voted to provide nearly $1 trillion of ditional aid to states and local governments as part of a bro relief bill. But legislation has stalled amid disagreements among President Donald Trump's ministration, Republican Senate leers and Democrats over size, scope and necessity of ar relief pack. In general, Republicans want a smaller, less costly version.

prospects for a pre-election COVID-19 relief measure appear to be dimming, with aid to states and local governments one of key areas of conflict.

In New York, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo's ministration estimates state will receive about $8 billion less in tax revenue than once expected this fiscal year.

Cuomo, who recently became chairman of National Goverrs Association, wants Congress to provide an ditional $30 billion to New York to plug budget holes that he warns will compound in coming years.