Let’s hope our elected officials can put party and pride aside and secure the most funding they can for our area. New York and New Jersey suffered immense damage and it will be years before things go back to normal, if even that. Homeowners and tenants need all the help they can get during that process.

Governor Cuomo says Superstorm Sandy ran up a $42 billion bill in New York, and he wants the federal government to pick up the cost. Cuomo met with the state’s congressional delegation today to discuss their requests for federal disaster aid. The bill includes $32 billion for repairs and restoration, and $9 billion for mitigation of damage, and for preventive measures for the next disastrous storm. Cuomo said New York taxpayers can’t foot the bill, as it would “incapacitate the state.” He said, “Tax increases are always a last, last, last resort.”

Senator Charles Schumer and Congressman Peter King vowed to fight for the funding, with King applauding the Governor for “showing leadership here.” King said Cuomo “was emphasizing bipartisanship. We're not Republicans and Democrats, we're all New Yorkers and this is the worst financial hit New York has ever had.”

Earlier today, Mayor Bloomberg announced Sandy caused $19 billion in losses in New York City, which is part of Cuomo’s estimate. Bloomberg also called on landlords of storm-damaged buildings to immediately take action to restore heat and electricity to about 7,000 buildings. In a letter to landlords today, he urged them to take advantage of the City’s Rapid Repairs program to help make the necessary fixes to their buildings. Bloomberg said, “Landlords must take action to improve building conditions for their tenants – it’s their legal obligation.”

Are you, or is anyone you know, still without basic necessities? Why do you think some landlords are not fulfilling their “obligation” to tenants? What’s your reaction to the amount of federal assistance Governor Cuomo is asking for? Are you confident New York will receive the amount it is requesting? Is Governor Cuomo showing leadership? How about Mayor Bloomberg?

Reply with your thoughts using the link above.

Why should Peter, who was not affected by and did not cause Sandy, be robbed by government, via taxation, and forced to pay for Paul's damages?

Joe
Port Richmond

What do they do with all of the money they get? People are still living in squalor and have no conveniences at all. Where are all the politicians that have made a career out of their jobs. They are so egger to keep giving to the same people over and over again and now it's our turn. The ones paying all the taxes time and time again, year after year need help now.

What happened to FEMA and The Red Cross? They keep asking over and over again for money and what happened to the two presidents that roamed from one disaster to another all over the globe and they have yet to even show their faces or show any signs of concern or help for those in need.

How many of these politicians have stormed into our city and just took over and made it known that they are running for certain offices. Where are they now. They in need have had to depend on local help and help from different organizations that came with food in their time of need and they were so grateful.

As far as this Cuomo and Bloomberg I have no use for them at all. Sorry but all of this talk of repairs and improvements should have been done a long time ago and they were all forewarned but nothing was ever done and if they do start a project either after it's completion the upkeep is never followed through and they all have to many projects going just for show and nothing more.

Keep in mind they are far from being able to protect us from another attack. Everyone has stayed to long at the dance.

Many, if not all of these politicians have used New York State as a stepping stone to create a status and run for higher offices at our expense. They all of these politicians have an easy lucrative job when all that's required is keep asking for money and promises. Tax and spend. Meanwhile we are always left in the lurch.

What about the crimes happening to these people so destitute that whatever few belongings or little treasures they had left were stolen. Then I read a story about these new sink holes and of course the people were told that they have to repair them themselves and some were 8 ft deep.

Maxxiee
Morris Park

I don't think the Republicans will release the money to us because we're Democrats

Also, I think there is a pre-existing dislike of New Yorkers by rest of country because of Wall Street.

They think we are rich and privileged and would like to see us fail.

Melanie
Park Slope

Mayor Blooomberg should have secured funding last year after Hurricane Irene.

All the Rockaway beaches lost most of the sand off the beach and it was never replenished.

We had a boardwalk destroyed during last year's hurricane that was never repaired.

Because nothing was done for a year to replenish our beaches or fix the boardwalks, we saw more damage than we should have experienced.

We were told to evacuate on Sunday, three hours before mass transit was stopping, but we were not evacuating the beach front nursing homes, so people had a false sense of security and many stayed.

Hopefully some of this funding Mayor Bloomberg is asking for will be to replenish the beaches in the five boroughs and the boardwalk that is no longer in existence.

John Correy was begging the city to put significant amounts of sand back on the beaches to no avail

Eileen
Rockaway Beach

The Governor and the Mayor deserves great credit for showing leadership during the disaster that hit NY. I would like to thank NY1 for recognizing that Rosedale, NY rests within very close proximity to Far Rockaway, NY, which Rosedale homeowners were affected just the same. I strongly believe that our Governor shows Presidential qualities, and he and the Mayor took leadership, given the disaster that hit the eastern seaboard.

Marcy
Rosedale

I think Gov Cuomo is doing a great job while Mayor Bloomberg is out of touch with reality and people's feelings

Carmen
Bay Ridge

Really.

The City is at the top of the bad Landlord list, for leaving NYCHA tenants and Mitchel Lama with no heat or hot water or electricity.

Funding Too much money Mayor turned down The President to visit us first. Governor did well enough but I still see no tents, no trailers, no beds.

Phyllis
Upper West Side

Mayor Bloomberg has made a mess of this city-and cares little for the "little man" - kids going hungry cold homeless has been going on throughout this term- He is a dictator and not a leader-patronage for those wealthy compadres- land chris quinn follows in his greedy footsteps- two faced As to the Governor, he is a leader and I like him but enough of the photo ops and free media face time- 2O16 is a ways off- talk to those of us who suffer under the landlords and their lawyers and paid off housing court judges -and have to move out of this city of the rich

JCee

The Barocrest building on the boardwalk between Beach 121st and 122nd Streets in Rockaway Park still has no electricity and is barely functioning on a broken boiler and a generator.

Yet, FEMA refuses housing money to residents, claiming that the building is safe and in livable condition.

I own my co-op there and pay practically as much in monthly maintenance fees as I do for my mortgage.

The building is run by Cooper Square Realty Management Company. The city and state should be monitoring and fining companies like Cooper Square for their disgraceful service to customers.

Suzanne
Rockaway

What happen to the people who do not have food stamp but lost alot of food the city is not helping out.I lost a lot of food my child eat gluten free which is expensive.

Keny

Joe of Port Richmond needs to get a life. Let him run on the Libertarian ticket if he thinks that is what he is. If it were him suffering, he would be begging people to help him.

Alan