Governor Signs Metzger Bill Forgiving $1.1 Million in Building Aid Penalties to Roscoe Schools

Albany, NY…Governor Cuomo today signed into law State Senator Jen Metzger’s (SD-42) bill to protect the Roscoe Central School District from losing $1.1 million in building aid from penalties incurred for the late filing of a final cost report on capital projects years ago. The bill was carried by Assemblymember Aileen Gunther in the Assembly and passed both houses unanimously. Last year, a similar bill sponsored by Senator Metzger's predecessor, Senator John Bonacic, was vetoed by the Governor.

"From the day I took office, I have been working to get amnesty from extreme building aid penalties imposed on the Roscoe Central School District, and I am thrilled that my bill to forgive these penalties has been signed into law,” said Senator Metzger. “The Roscoe Central School District has been a model for shared services among school districts, working to keep its operating expenses low while providing a quality education to students. These penalties were an undue hardship, and I thank the Governor for bringing this important relief to overburdened taxpayers and much-needed resources to the schools."

The bill signed into law today retroactively validates Roscoe’s reports on building repairs completed prior to December 31, 2017, thereby avoiding the steep and overly punitive penalties.

“I am very happy and appreciative that Governor Cuomo has signed the Amnesty Bill sponsored by Senator Metzger and Assemblywoman Gunther for the Roscoe Central School District. Words cannot begin to describe how grateful I am to Senator Jen Metzger for her tireless effort and support in making this a reality for our school district and our community,” said Roscoe Superintendent John Evans. “We are very lucky to have such a tenacious advocate working and fighting for what is right on our behalf in NYS Senate.”