By Howard Riedel
Buffalo, NY – Governor Pataki announced Wednesday the city of Buffalo will get some of its state aid a little early in the next fiscal year.
Pataki said $19.2 million will arrive over the summer, and another 48.6 million could come up to a year early in November, depending on cash flow needs.
In return, the city has agreed to give the state quarterly financial reports, including proposed action to correct any imbalances, and to submit a four year fiscal plan that doesn’t ask for any future state aid. However, Mayor Masiello rejects the idea that the state has set up an unofficial contol board.
"We have faced up to our reality and we're going to continue to do that," Masiello said. "I don't need anybody from the outside telling us how to run this city. With a little help from our friends, who have been great allies, and some tough love and tough work on the part of this administration and Council, we're going to be stronger and better than ever before."
The early payments, which the governor previously rejected, will help the city avert an extra 30 police layoffs, about $56 million in borrowing, and a possible credit downgrade by Wall Street.