Seward Hails Agreement On Aid For Local Governments

The legislature’s 2006-2007 budget agreement will provide significant new aid for cities, towns and villages in the 51st Senatorial District, Senator James L. Seward said today.

Seward said the funding is intended to help ease the pressure of local property taxes. The budget agreement gives cities a significant increase above the governor's proposal (which was based on property wealth in a community) with 13 percent more than the governor's plan. In addition, the aid agreement offers a 20 percent across the board increase for towns and villages above the state’s current year budget.

"Property tax relief is a top priority in this budget and the senate will accomplish that, not only through a direct property tax rebate program, but by boosting state aid to local governments to ease the tremendous burden on hardworking property taxpayers. The jump in aid is critically important to help the cities, towns, and villages of my district meet their needs without resorting to higher property taxes," Seward said.

In addition, the budget will include $25 million in incentive aid for communities that share local services to increase efficiency and reduce local government expenses for property taxpayers.