By Mark Scott
Syracuse, NY – Governor Pataki says Buffalo and other upstate cities will receive the same amount in unrestricted state aid next year as they did this year.
The governor's recommendation for city aid will be included in the proposed budget he will unveiled Wednesday.
Speaking in Syracuse Monday, Pataki said he realizes the state's localities will be looking to him for help in balancing their own budgets. Right now, Buffalo receives $48.6 million dollars in supplemental aid in addition to the regular revenue sharing it receives from New York.
The group representing the state's cities had feared unrestricted aid would be cut by the governor. So, Monday's news was welcomed by Edward Farrell of the State Conference of Mayors. He said a cut in aid would have forced local governments to raise property taxes, causing hardship for homeowners and inhibiting economic development.