Mayor Michael Bloomberg is voicing opposition to state legislation that would extend benefits for Bronx families of rescue workers who die from illnesses sustained after working at Ground Zero.

The state has approved a bill that would give surviving spouse of police officers, firefighters and other rescue workers generous death benefits. However, Bloomberg says the costs of that bill would be too expensive for the city and become a burden on taxpayers. The mayor also wants there to be a clear connection between working at Ground Zero and how a rescue worker died.

The mayor wants the state and federal government to foot some of the costs should the bill become enacted. Governor George Pataki (R-NY) is said to be inclined to sign the bill.