Senator Kennedy Announces State Funding Boost for WNY Schools, Local Highways

Kennedy says all Erie County school districts combined will see a state aid increase of over $35 million and county roads will receive nearly 20 percent more than last year.

ALBANY, N.Y. – Senator Tim Kennedy, D-Buffalo announced that more state funds will be headed to Western New York to enrich our schools and repair local roads. Kennedy said the state is investing about an additional $1 billion in schools across New York. The state budget also targets $438 million to repair local roads and bridges, which represents the first increase in local highway aid in five years.

Nearly all school districts in Erie County will receive a hike in state aid. Combined, school districts in Erie County will receive an additional $35 million in state aid. The Senate voted on the school aid increases early Wednesday morning.

“Without the opportunities that a quality education provides, we are sentencing our children to a lifetime of hardship,” Kennedy said. “These increases will help ensure that the students of Western New York are well-educated, prepared and ready to compete for the jobs of the 21st century.

“State aid for Buffalo Public Schools will rise by more than $15 million this year. School districts in Cheektowaga and Lackawanna will also get a much needed boost in state support, and across Erie County, almost every school will receive additional state funds,” he added. “I was proud to vote for these increases, and I look forward to what this funding will do for the students of Western New York.”

School districts in the 63rd Senate District will receive:

• Buffalo: Increase of $15,653,638 of 3.04%
• Cheektowaga Central: Increase of $706,199 or 7.66%
• Cheektowaga-Sloan: Increase of $1,198,225 or 11.36%
• Maryvale: Increase of $555,778 or 5.25%
• Cleveland Hill: Increase: $168,605 or 1.8%
• Depew: Increase of $861,698 or 6.75%
• Lackawanna: $1,502,612 or 5.68%

The increased local road funding comes through the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS). CHIPS provides state funds for the construction and repair of highways, bridges and other infrastructure administered by counties and local municipalities. Erie County is slated to receive $8,822,739, an increase of 17.23 percent over 2012-13 totals.

“Local roads and bridges throughout Western New York are in need of repair, and there are men and women in the construction industry who are ready to go to work to fix them,” Kennedy said. “This crucial funding will not only make our roads safer, it will put people to work. Improving our local infrastructure is vital to our communities. A safe, secure and well-maintained system of roads and bridges ensures that families can get to work and local businesses can stay competitive.”

As a member of the Senate Transportation Committee, Kennedy helped push for the boost in local road funds. Kennedy said the City of Buffalo will receive a 23 percent increase for a total of $4,085,789. The Town of Cheektowaga will receive a 28.4 percent increase, for a total of $426,350. The City of Lackawanna will receive a 23 percent increase, for a total of $362,151.

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Senator Timothy M. Kennedy represents the New York State Senate’s 63rd District, which is comprised of the town of Cheektowaga, the city of Lackawanna and nearly all of the city of Buffalo. More information is available at http://kennedy.nysenate.gov.