This Week in Politics: Blame Game on Budget Shortfall Begins

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said this week that the state is facing a budget shortfall of $2.3 billion and placed blame squarely with the Trump administration.

Cuomo said the 2017 federal tax overhaul has led to declining revenues in New York, due to new limits on state and local tax deductions that often are referred to as SALT deductions.

And he's not alone in railing against the tax changes. Gov. Phil Murphy also blamed the new SALT deduction limits for New Jersey's financial ills.

WNYC's Fred Mogul tells host David Furst it's no accident that Cuomo announced the shortfall just as state budget talks get underway.

"I think Cuomo is really sending a signal to his fellow Democrats that he does not want to raise taxes, he does not embrace a 'soak the rich' strategy to dramatically increase spending on things like education and the MTA," Mogul said.