Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli (D-Syracuse) today announced his support to increase funds for revenue sharing to alleviate local property taxes.

“Out of control property taxes are putting Central New York tax payers in a financial crunch,” Magnarelli said. “I am committed to helping ease the burden of high property tax bills by providing additional funds to help towns and villages meet their financial needs. By providing the necessary funds, we can offset some of the rising expenses and reduce the need to further burden local taxpayers.”

The governor’s budget calls for a $50 million increase in municipal aid through the Aid and Incentives for Municipalities program, called AIM. The Assembly will fight to raise this by $100 million more – a $150 million increase over last year – to keep property taxes low and to guarantee our families’ safety and quality of life.

As the budget now stands, the governor provides AIM funding for the “Big Four” cities – Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers and Syracuse – and 38 smaller “high need” cities. Not only is the proposed funding not enough, but also the governor does not offer funding for the state’s other deserving towns, villages and cities.

In contrast, under the Assembly’s plan, all towns, villages and cities, including those in Onondaga County, will receive an across-the-board increase.

Specifically:

• Towns in Onondaga County will receive $192,729 more in revenue sharing this year
• Villages in Onondaga County will receive $55,723 more in revenue sharing this year
• The City of Syracuse will receive $5.7 million more in revenue sharing this year

“For too long, local leaders across Onondaga County and throughout New York have had to find ways to keep stretching their dollars,” Magnarelli said. “This initiative builds on the Assembly’s efforts to cap local Medicaid costs, and increase aid for local school districts. By increasing help for local governments, we can make a significant difference in the ability of local governments to deliver critical services.”

Communities will have more money for police and fire protection, road and sidewalk repair, garbage pick-up and sanitation.

“By providing these much needed funds we can help ease the financial strain our cities, towns and villages face and keep the local property taxes in check,” Magnarelli said.