State Budget Includes Nearly $13 Million in Aid for Municipalities

ALBANY - The enacted New York State budget included the Legislature's rejection of the proposed two percent cut in state aid proposed by Governor David Paterson, thereby allowing municipalities to pass along property tax savings to overburdened homeowners, Senator Catharine Young (R,I,C-Olean) announced today.

Cities in her 57th Senate District will receive an over $300,000 state aid increase, and town and village funding will rise between three and five percent, totaling nearly $13 million under a budget agreement between the Senate and the Assembly.

"This increase is huge given the hard economic times our state is facing. It will help our local governments keep their costs in line and still deliver vital services. Property taxpayers should see significant relief," Senator Young said.

"Despite having to make tough fiscal choices this year, it was critical to make sure that taxpayers won't be further burdened by increased taxes. I fought very hard throughout budget negotiations to reject the two percent cut proposed by Governor Paterson because many of our municipalities are experiencing serious financial difficulties. Those efforts paid off as we have restored necessary funding to the localities in the 57th Senate District."

The final budget calls for Jamestown to receive an extra $179,343 for a total of $4,866,458; Dunkirk to get an increase of $61,180 for a total of $1,676,896; Olean to receive an additional $47,162 for a total of $2,358,120; and Salamanca to get a boost of $20,160 for a total of $1.008.008.

The 2008-09 State Budget includes a $29.6 million increase in aid for cities to help ease the burden of local property taxes and assist them in meeting the needs of their residents.

"Budget negotiations have been far more difficult this year than in years past, but I believe we were able to pass a sound budget that restores funding and saves our municipalities from having to pass along further burdensome tax increases to already overtaxed residents," Senator Young said.

Funding breakouts for all localities are available by clicking here.