Legislative Budget Proposes Record Increases In State Aid To Local Governments

Cities, towns, and villages in the 44th State Senate District will receive record-breaking increases in State aid under a formula approved by the Joint Legislative Budget Subcommittee on General Government and Local Assistance. That panel is co-chaired by State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R,C - Schenectady).

"Local governments will be able to use this aid to reduce real property taxes," Senator Farley said. "These historic levels of increase in State aid offer municipalities a unique opportunity to reduce the crushing burden of real property taxes."

If the budget legislation containing the State aid formula is approved by Governor Pataki, the city of Schenectady will receive a State aid increase of nearly $2 million, bringing total unrestricted State aid to almost $10 million per year. "This represents a 75% increase in State aid to Schenectady over the past three years," Senator Farley pointed out.

The city of Amsterdam will receive $2.63 million, an increase of over $510,000. Gloversville will receive $2.04 million, up more than $396,000, while Johnstown will receive $1.33 million, an increase of over $257,000.

Local towns and village will receive increases of about twenty percent over last year.