Friday, March 28, 2014
[UPDATED] Rochester reportedly getting small, one-time boost in state aid
Posted on Fri, Mar 28, 2014 at 12:31 PM
The new state budget will reportedly include $6 million in extra aid for the City of Rochester, according to Gannett's Albany reporter, Joseph Spector. State lawmakers are currently negotiating the budget bill.
The City of Rochester has a $28 million gap to fill in its upcoming budget, which is due out in May. Mayor Lovely Warren has been making regular trips to Albany to lobby for more aid. Rochester gets the lowest aid per capita of the major upstate cities, while being required to give its school district more.
The State Assembly's budget resolution included a one-time $12.4 million aid boost for Rochester, but the Senate's bill didn't include anything. It appears that the $12.4 million figure has been knocked down to $6 million.
Warren asked the governor for funding for a number of initiatives and projects in the new budget, including $100 million for a downtown performing arts center. She made the requests in February.
A press release from Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle and Senator Joe Robach, announcing the aid boost:
March 28, 2014 (Rochester, NY)
“In a continued effort to meet the needs of our constituents, while working with local government and our Mayor, we’re happy to deliver more resources for the City of Rochester. Our ability to successfully rebuild Upstate New York is inextricably linked to the need to make essential investments in our cities. That is why throughout the budget process we have remained committed to ensuring the needs of the City of Rochester are met by securing funding that is essential to its fiscal stability.
“We are pleased to announce that the City will be receiving $6 million in state aid in addition to the $88 million already allocated in Aid and Incentives for Municipalities funding in the original budget proposal. This appropriation is being made available in direct response to the City’s need for additional funding to combat its chronically high poverty rate.
“This action is a step in the right direction toward resolving the historic disparities within the AIM funding formula and will greatly assist the City in addressing this year’s fiscal challenges. Looking forward we remain committed to providing the City with the tools it needs to ensure its long-term success.”
The City of Rochester has a $28 million gap to fill in its upcoming budget, which is due out in May. Mayor Lovely Warren has been making regular trips to Albany to lobby for more aid. Rochester gets the lowest aid per capita of the major upstate cities, while being required to give its school district more.
The State Assembly's budget resolution included a one-time $12.4 million aid boost for Rochester, but the Senate's bill didn't include anything. It appears that the $12.4 million figure has been knocked down to $6 million.
Warren asked the governor for funding for a number of initiatives and projects in the new budget, including $100 million for a downtown performing arts center. She made the requests in February.
A press release from Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle and Senator Joe Robach, announcing the aid boost:
March 28, 2014 (Rochester, NY)
“In a continued effort to meet the needs of our constituents, while working with local government and our Mayor, we’re happy to deliver more resources for the City of Rochester. Our ability to successfully rebuild Upstate New York is inextricably linked to the need to make essential investments in our cities. That is why throughout the budget process we have remained committed to ensuring the needs of the City of Rochester are met by securing funding that is essential to its fiscal stability.
“We are pleased to announce that the City will be receiving $6 million in state aid in addition to the $88 million already allocated in Aid and Incentives for Municipalities funding in the original budget proposal. This appropriation is being made available in direct response to the City’s need for additional funding to combat its chronically high poverty rate.
“This action is a step in the right direction toward resolving the historic disparities within the AIM funding formula and will greatly assist the City in addressing this year’s fiscal challenges. Looking forward we remain committed to providing the City with the tools it needs to ensure its long-term success.”
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