Bx. Dem steers $30M to nursing-home pals

A $30 million grant to a troubled Bronx nursing home in the state budget has raised the hackles of government watchdogs.

The earmark of $1 million a year until 2046 goes to the 385-bed Citadel Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at Kingsbridge, whose owners have contributed thousands of dollars to Bronx state Sen. Jeff Klein’s campaigns.

“A little-noticed provision of this year’s budget directs $30 million to a single nursing home in The Bronx — which is unusual even by the standards of New York state government,” noted the Empire Center for Public Policy.

Klein has received at least $10,000 in contributions from owners of the nursing home, which is in his district and also is in the turf of Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz.

Klein pushed the funding in the Senate spending proposal, and it was later included in the state budget, with the support of Gov. Cuomo and the Assembly.

Owner Leopold Friedman gave money to both Klein and Cuomo.

Klein and Dinowitz insisted the grant will save the state money because it would be used to pay for renovations rather than for a new facility.

Under the Medicaid fund- ing formula, taxpayers will save “up to $78 million,” said a Klein spokeswoman.

She also said the senator is returning campaign contributions from nursinghome interests as part of a regular internal audit of “monies that present the appearance of a potential conflict.”