| Roatti earlier stated what the budget included (and excluded) this year. As we all know, the deal has been made.
First, the news for upstate. I took part in a conference call with Dan Gundersen, chairman of the upstate Empire State Development Corporation. The verdict is that upstate will receive $700 million in this year's budget. The original Upstate Revitalization Fund called for $1 billion, so the $300 million is a pretty serious cut into this funding. That said, one of the positives here is that the Regional Blueprint portion of the plan (worth $120 million in this year's budget) will be in next year's budget as well. It will be a recurring part of the budget, which wasn't the original plan. So the $350 million that was first set for the Regional Blueprint may still happen.
According to Gundersen, there will be $5 million for broadband in upstate and another $40 million for the agribusiness fund. There is also $10 million set aside for more Fort Drum housing.
Sandy Parker of the Rochester Business Alliance had this to say about today's announcement.
"We applaud Governor Paterson for his focus on upstate," Parker said. "We are very pleased."
Governor David Paterson also announced that for the first time in 40 years, New York will see an overhaul of Wicks Law.
Governor David A. Paterson today announced the overhaul of the Wicks Law in the 2008-09 Enacted Budget. This historic reform is part of an overall effort to reduce local mandates and lower local property taxes. The change, which will cut public construction costs for State and local governments, marks the first restructuring of that law in more than 40 years.
"Wicks reform is an essential part of relieving the crushing burden of local property taxes afflicting our State," said Governor Paterson. "Today's reforms, which were many years in the making, prove that when we work together, we can get real results for the people of New York."
...
These reforms will exempt more than 70 percent of public works projects from Wicks mandates and provide real savings for schools, local governments and other public entities. For New York City, this legislation will reduce the City's long term capital construction costs by more than $200 million in its upcoming City Fiscal Year (CFY) 2009 Capital Plan, and will carry annual debt service savings of $14 million by CFY 2012. Localities across the State will also realize millions of dollars more in savings.
Other efforts in the Enacted Budget which will help relieve pressure on local property taxes include:
- Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM): Municipalities outside of New York City will receive $767 million in total AIM funding, a $67.5 million (9.7 percent) increase from last year. This includes the $55.9 million in additional aid proposed in the original Executive Budget plus another $11.6 million in new special assistance for certain cities. Notable changes include: Buffalo (10.8 percent); Rochester (17.4 percent); Syracuse (10.8 percent); Albany (13.3 percent); and Binghamton (10.8 percent).
- Local Government Efficiency Grants: The Enacted Budget includes $29.4 million in grants to encourage local government consolidation and shared services, a $4.4 million increase from last year.
Very impressive. I'm slightly disappointed with the upstate fund, however. Make no mistake, $700 million will go a long way. The city-by-city investments will be fully funded, but the Regional Blueprint took a big chunk of the cuts. It's comforting to know that it will be in the budget next year, but what about years to come?
I also would like to know if the New York Farmer's Market is still in the works for New York City where upstate farmers could sell their produce to downstate consumers. I hope that idea didn't die here. I really want to see that happen. |
