AP Source: Cuomo Weighs School Aid, Medicaid Cuts

ALBANY (AP) -- A state official with knowledge of a private meeting between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders says Cuomo is considering cuts of 2 to 3 percent in school aid and in Medicaid, while proposing as many as 10,000 state layoffs.

The state official says Cuomo discussed the rare cuts as true reductions in about $21 billion in annual school aid and in the Medicaid health care program, which costs more than $50 billion. That would mean they are cuts from current levels of funding, not higher projected levels for the coming fiscal year.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because discussion in the executive mansion meeting Monday night wasn't supposed to be released before Cuomo's budget address on Tuesday.

Cuomo spokesman John Milgrim made no immediate comment.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)