Metro

Gov: OK for starters, but we need more

Call $60.4 billion a good start.

That’s how top New York pols characterized President Obama’s Hurricane Sandy relief proposal for the region, though they promised to come back for more.

Gov. Cuomo has said New York and New Jersey need at least $80 billion.

But he said yesterday he’d take Obama’s offering for the region now rather than $80 billion in six months.

Cuomo and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) said the Obama proposal gives states flexibility and includes funding to better prepare for future superstorms.

“This gives us the advantage to get to work now,” added Cuomo, who said the state would use whatever funding Congress approves for housing reconstruction, small-business loans and reimbursements to localities for storm expenses.

“It is a great first step, and it is a very big deal for New York,” he said.

Schumer predicted a “rough fight” in Congress but noted federal lawmakers approved multiple appropriations for recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina.

Mayor Bloomberg said that while the funding wasn’t as much as what was requested, he recognized that “we have always been realistic about the fiscal constraints facing the federal government.” He insisted that Congress has to act quickly to approve the funding. “Any delay will impede our recovery,” he said.