FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 10, 2008
ENACTED STATE BUDGET PROVIDES SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS TO THE NORTH COUNTRY
Governor David Paterson today announced that the Enacted State Budget contains numerous investments and actions that will benefit the North Country, including Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, and Warren counties.
“Facing a rapidly deteriorating economy, it was important to ensure that our budget would not be balanced on the backs of local governments,” said Governor Paterson. “The state tightened its own belt so it could continue to provide critical support to the North Country.”
Recognizing that support for local government programs is important to alleviate pressure on local property taxes, Governor Paterson made significant reductions to state agency spending – which will grow by only one percent – in order to preserve funding for localities that rely upon state aid. Overall, New York’s local governments, including cities, towns, villages, and school districts, will receive a net positive benefit of $3.0 billion from the state budget.
The Enacted Budget provides $856.4 million in school aid for the North Country, a substantial increase of $70.8 million (9.0 percent). The Plattsburgh City School District will receive $17.1 million in school aid, an increase of $1.1 million (6.8 percent), and the Watertown City School District will receive $41.0 million, an increase of $6.8 million (20.0 percent)
Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM) revenue sharing funding will total $18.4 million in the North Country, an increase of $1.2 million (6.7 percent). In Plattsburgh, AIM funding will total $2.8 million, an increase of $136,993 (5.0 percent), and will total $5.1 million in Watertown, an increase of $333,002 (7.0 percent).
Additionally, the budget provides critical funding of $10 million for housing and other infrastructure improvements surrounding the Fort Drum area, as part of the City-by-City initiative to finance projects that are vital to the North Country’s economy.
The continued capping of local Medicaid costs and the state takeover of the Family Health Plus program will provide significant savings to Jefferson County taxpayers of $3.8 million in 2008-09.
To finance important infrastructure initiatives, Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) funding of $2.92 million is provided for Jefferson County, an increase of $391,872 (15.5 percent), and $1.98 million for Clinton County, an increase of $267,180 (15.6 percent).
A summary of budget actions affecting the North Country is included below.
SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE NORTH COUNTRY
2008-09 ENACTED BUDGET
North Country Region
- School Aid: Total NYS School Aid to North Country school districts will increase from $785.6 million in 2007-08 to $856.4 million in 2008-09, an increase of $70.8 million or 9.0%.
- STAR Property Tax Relief: Total STAR property tax relief to North Country residents will increase from $122.4 million in 2007-08 to $127.5 million in 2008-09, an increase of $5.1 million or 4.1%.
- Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM): Total AIM funding for North Country Region residents will increase from $17.2 million in 2007-08 to $18.4 million in 2008-09, an increase of $1.2 million or 6.7%.
- Economic Development: Funding of $10 million is included for housing and other infrastructure improvements surrounding the Fort Drum area, as part of the city-by-city initiative to finance projects that are vital to the North Country’s economy.
Franklin County
- Medicaid Cap/FHP Takeover: Projected savings for Franklin County for the Medicaid Cap and State takeover of Family Health Plus will total $1.3 million in 2008-09.
- Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS): Total CHIPS Funding for Franklin County will increase from $1.27 million in 2007-08 to $1.47 million in 2008-09, an increase of $193,691 or 15.2%.
Clinton County
- Medicaid Cap/FHP Takeover: Projected savings for Clinton County for the Medicaid Cap and State takeover of Family Health Plus will total $2.7 million in 2008-09.
- Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS): Total CHIPS Funding for Clinton County will increase from $1.71 million in 2007-08 to $1.98 million in 2008-09, an increase of $267,180 or 15.6%.
Jefferson County
- Medicaid Cap/FHP Takeover: Projected savings for Jefferson County for the Medicaid Cap and State takeover of Family Health Plus will total $3.7 million in 2008-09.
- Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS): Total CHIPS Funding for Jefferson County will increase from $2.52 million in 2007-08 to $2.92 million in 2008-09, an increase of $391,872 or 15.5%.
St. Lawrence County
- Medicaid Cap/FHP Takeover: Projected savings for St. Lawrence County for the Medicaid Cap and State takeover of Family Health Plus will total $5.9 million in 2008-09.
- Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS): Total CHIPS Funding for St. Lawrence County will increase from $2.85 million in 2007-08 to $3.28 million in 2008-09, an increase of $423,519 or 14.8%.
Essex County
- Medicaid Cap/FHP Takeover: Projected savings for Essex County for the Medicaid Cap and State takeover of Family Health Plus will total $1.2 million in 2008-09.
- Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS): Total CHIPS Funding for Essex County will increase from $1.57 million in 2007-08 to $1.82 million in 2008-09, an increase of $257,468 or 16.4%.
City of Glens Falls
- Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM): Total AIM funding for City of Glens Falls residents will increase by $151,420 or 9.5% to $1.7 million in 2008-09.
City of Plattsburgh
- Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM): Total AIM funding for City of Plattsburgh residents will increase by $136,993 or 5.0% to $2.8 million in 2008-09.