Two area state lawmakers say that Rochester will get an additional $6 million in state aid in the new state budget. The word came Friday afternoon from Assemblyman Joe Morelle, who is also the Assembly Majority Leader, and State Senator Joe Robach.
A statement from the legislators say the appropriation is being made available in direct response to the city’s need for additional funding to combat its chronically high poverty rate. Morelle’s office says the Assembly originally asked for $12.4 million in additional aid for the city.
Rochester currently gets $88 million, and that amount has been at the same level for a number of years. Morelle tells WXXI News that the additional $6 million does not affect the base level of aid to municipalities. He says for that level of funding to rise, it would involve a broader discussion of the AIM, or Aid to Municipalities funding. Morelle expects local state lawmakers to push for more money for Rochester again next year.
The two legislators say this is a step in the right direction toward resolving the historic disparities involving the funding formula for cities. Rochester is facing a $28 million budget gap.
