Long-serving Chairman of the Assembly Health Committee Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan) discussed how budget negotiations may be affected by the crises facing Gov. Cuomo on multiple fronts.

"I think it does give the governor less leverage than he would ordinarily have if he was riding high in popularity," Gottfried told Capital Tonight. 

At a press conference earlier in the day, the governor said he would not be resigning. He also stated that he was capable of participating in the Attorney General’s investigation into allegations against him as well as negotiating a budget. 

"I’m going to do what the people of New York elected me to do," Cuomo said.

The governor has enormous power over the budget thanks to the state constitution, and Cuomo has handled those levers of power deftly over the last 11 years. 

Still, Gottfried thinks the governor’s recent scandals may have weakened his position, at least temporarily.

"I would hope that we have more sway in the negotiations," Gottfried said. "It’s long overdue."

Gottfried was also asked when the Department of Health might provide answers to the questions asked of Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker during budget testimony last Thursday. 

His response was not optimistic.

"Lord knows," Gottfried said. "I don’t know when, if ever, we’ll get answers that were raised at the budget hearing."