Cuomo says Sandy cost N.Y. $33 billion

ALBANY, N.Y., Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-N.Y., said the latest damage estimate from Hurricane Sandy is $50 billion for the mid-Atlantic region, $33 billion of it in New York State.

The figures, which he called "staggering," include economic loss as well as the costs to state and local governments for recovery and clean-up, the Albany Times-Union reported Thursday.

Cuomo again called on the federal government to reimburse all of his state's out-of-pocket expenses pertaining to the storm, even if a supplemental appropriation bill must be passed.

"We pay a lot in taxes to Washington. This is a very important state, nationally, and I want the respect for our taxpayers," he said.

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli estimated the storm's financial consequence at $18 million last week and predicted a short-term decline in tax revenues, the newspaper said.