Yonkers Insider: *NEWS RELEASE* BREEN & MERANTE SAY "THANKS, BUT..."

 

***NEWS RELEASE***

BREEN & MERANTE SAY "THANKS, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE REST?"

YONKERS, NY – September 22, 2020 – We have been informed that the Yonkers Public Schools will receive the budgeted state funding for the month of September, although, there has been no commitment from the state for timely funding beyond that. The City of Yonkers and the Yonkers Public Schools must continue to prepare for the worst case scenario in not receiving the already budgeted NYS funding.

With drastic cuts to state aid to municipalities and significant decreases in economically sensitive revenues, the City of Yonkers is preparing to reduce costs by $21.6 million. These cuts could negatively impact city programs, services and personnel. Governor Cuomo has withheld $21.6 million in Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM), that was in last year's budget and approved by the State Comptroller, and the economically sensitive revenues that Yonkers relies upon are forecasted to be $45-50 million dollars lower this current fiscal year due to the pandemic.

Minority Leader Mike Breen said “I want to thank Governor Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Senator Mayer, Education Chair, for fending off the delay of this month's aid that is critical for our children's education. However, with no commitment to future payments, many difficult decisions still must be made. I am asking that the state do the right thing and give us the funding that you have already budgeted for us." Minority Leader Breen continued, “Additionally, the future planned withholding of $21.6 million of AIM aid remains and will result in a severe reduction in programs and services for our residents and the potential layoffs of over 200 City employees. What makes this worse is that last year's AIM aid which was budgeted for has also withheld. These delays in funding are seriously impacting the City's operations and need to be stopped."

Council Budget Chairman Anthony Merante expressed his appreciation for the timely September payment to the Yonkers Public Schools. Merante said "I am pleased that Governor Cuomo, Senator Stewart-Cousins and Education Chair Mayer were successful in staving off a further delay of education funding. Thank you, but, that is not enough. A further commitment to funding the remaining portion of the school year and the reinstatement of the $21.6 million in AIM aid must follow to prevent catastrophic reductions to our programs, services and City's workforce. The City's long term finances are in jeopardy as the state's unwillingness to meet their obligations will have significant negative effects on the June 30, 2020 audited financial statements as well as the current and future budgets and that is not acceptable."