NY Sen. Gillibrand predicts second stimulus package of $500-700 billion

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand was in Saranac Lake this afternoon and during an interview with NCPR speculated that continued high unemployment could trigger a second stimulus package.

“I don’t think we’ve seen necessarily how high unemployment will go,” she said.

“What [President Barack Obama] plans to do is make some significant investments now, which make people worried. Because if you’re going to add another $700 billion or even let’s say another $500 billion investment over the next year or two — which I would not be surprised if we make a second investment of that level if the unemployment numbers don’t come down.”

Sen. Gillibrand said she would support a second Federal stimulus if unemployment is at double-digit levels next year.

“My view is long-term, if we continue to need to invest in the economy, I would support additional investments in energy and in infrastructure…and you would probably want it to be on a significant magnitude if you needed it.”

During the interview Sen. Gillibrand also spoke warmly of Rep. Carolyn Maloney, the New York City Democrat who announced last week that she wouldn’t run in the 2010 primary.