Mike Spano says Yonkers avoided “devastating” cuts in legislature
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- December
- 2
State Assemblyman Mike Spano (D-Yonkers) said he and other members of the city’s legislative delegation helped the city dodge a $15 million cut in state aid. Here is his press release:
Assemblyman Mike Spano (D, C, WF-Yonkers), working with the Assembly and Senate delegation that represents Yonkers, announced that in a marathon session ending only moments before 6am this morning a deficit reduction plan was passed that reduces the state budget deficit and saves New York taxpayers millions of dollars.
In the Governor’s proposed deficit reduction plan, Yonkers was slated for a $16 million mid-year cut to municipal and educational aid if approved. The Yonkers delegation was able to restore $15 million of the $16 million proposed cuts which in turn saves the City from devastating effects.
“There is no doubt that we had tough choices to make,” Spano said. “But at the end of the day my colleagues and I were able to reduce the size of New York’s deficit while still being able to significantly restore statewide proposed cuts to education and healthcare. Additionally, the funds that were mitigated back to Yonkers avoided devastating layoffs to essential services in the City including to police, fire and other critical services.”
“The job that was at hand of closing our budget’s deficit was not easy. We needed to stay focused and meet the fiscal obligations of our future head on while protecting our municipalities. The agreement made this morning will help our state through the crisis, while making sure Yonkers was secured the funding it needs.”
In addition, a pension reform was passed today, creating Tier V, which will substantially reduce costs to local governments. This measure creates savings up to $48.5 billion over the next 30 years.
“This is a start, but the state must continue tightening its belt and it must not balance the budget on the backs of taxpayers. More tough decisions need to be made,” Spano said. “There is no doubt that Yonkers residents are feeling the effects of this economic recession, whether it be loss of income, or future job uncertainty, but we are all in this together and the best interests of Yonkers and its residents are my priorities.”
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 at 4:52 pm by egarcia.
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Category: Uncategorized
Tags: deficit, Mike Spano, state aid, Yonkers
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Mike Spano saved money for Yonkers, but the H with the rest of the State, so now is Mike going to run for Mayor of Yonkers? My best guess. Since CE is taken. All he cares about now is saving money. That is BS. He never was interested before.
I love how people are criticizing those who did their jobs and delivered for their City and constituent base. Without Mike Spano’s efforts the City would have lost 11% of jobs including police, fire and DPW. Especially in these economic times, we need to stand by those who help where we live. Great job Mike and the Yonkers delegation!!