By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello is extremely upset with the state budget office. He says he's "ticked off" with the state for saying no to a cash advance of $19 million before the end of June.
Masiello says that money would help reduce personnel and borrowing costs. The state funding is already promised to the city, but Masiello says he needs it now.
Masiello says if the city faces a drop in its credit rating, he will hold the state budget department responsible.
"People in Albany have to understand that if we get down-graded, I'm going to lay that on their lap," a visibly angry Masiello said. "It doesn't have to happen."
Masiello says more layoffs are possible if the state does not provide the "spin off" dollars to help the city through the current fiscal year which ends June 30th.