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On Monday, the state Assembly passed its $142 billion budget proposal. Included in the spending plan is an 11 percent increase in aid to municipalities, including Yonkers, and a dedication of $334 million more to education aid than what the governor had proposed.
“I am very pleased that the Assembly has added funding that will help both Yonkers schools and our city in the next fiscal year,” Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer (D-Yonkers) said. “We have helped craft a sound and fiscally responsible budget that makes key investments in the types of programs and services hardworking Yonkers families deserve.”
In its plan, the state Assembly allocated $21.1 billion in school aid, which includes $208 million for Foundation Aid and $100 million for Gap Elimination Adjustment. Assembly members said this will translate into more dollars for Yonkers Public Schools than what Gov. Andrew Cuomo originally proposed with his executive budget.
The Assembly’s proposal, which closes an estimated $1.4 billion budget deficit without raising taxes, also includes an 11.2 percent increase in municipal assistance for cities, towns and villages. That would mean over $12 million in additional aid for the City of Yonkers, lawmakers said.
“I applaud the NYS Assembly for allocating funds that will allow the city of Yonkers to improve in areas that are vital to the constituents I represent,” Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (D-Mount Vernon) said. “Investing in our community will certainly lead to positive outcomes throughout the City of Yonkers.”
On Monday, the state senate announced it too had passed a proposed budget. Their spending plan includes increases in state school aid by $415 million above the level proposed by the governor and provides relief to local governments, senate members said.
The governor’s $142 billion spending plan, announced earlier this month at SUNY Purchase, would increase spending by 2 percent and also address a $1 billion deficit without including any new taxes.
Lawmakers and Cuomo are expected to meet in the upcoming weeks with hopes of adopting a compromise and passing a state budget before the fiscal year that starts April 1.
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