Governor Andrew Cuomo during his budget presentation on Jan. 15, 2019.
ALBANY – Towns around New York state are objecting to a budget proposal from Gov. Andrew Cuomo that would cut nearly $60 million in funding to local governments.
The New York State Association of Towns on Friday called the cut “disrespectful” and said it could force local officials to trim services or dip into reserves.
Cuomo, a Democrat, inserted the reduction in a $175 billion state budget proposal submitted to lawmakers last week. More than 1,300 towns will lose funding if state lawmakers support the cut.
Cuomo’s budget spokesman defended the reduction, saying it amounts to less than 1 percent of the typical town’s annual budget.
According to the Post-Journal, if the proposal was approved by the state legislature, the town of Ellicott would lose approximately $40,000. Other local towns would also see reductions.
To counter the loss of some of the revenue, the governor is also proposing a change in the way internet sales taxes are collected that his office claims could allow towns to split a $350 million windfall.
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