NYC would take hits in schools, government aid, social services under gov’s budget proposal

NYC would be hit under governor’s budget proposal

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York City would take hits in school aid, local government assistance, social services and transportation under Gov. David Paterson’s state budget proposal.

The city’s school aid would be cut $469 million, and local government would lose $302 million. Paterson said Tuesday the cuts are part of the tough decisions necessary while the state is facing a $7.4 billion deficit. He says cuts to local government aid are less than 0.5 percent of total city revenues, much less than many other communities across the state.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg didn’t have a comment on the proposal hours after it was made public. All the proposals hinge on support of the state Legislature, which has been at odds with Paterson for months.

Paterson also proposed a Medicaid cap that he projects could save the city nearly $863 million, which could offset some of his proposed cuts.

“The proposed reduction in school aid will affect funding for our city’s students at a time when we are still waiting to receive our just due as a result of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit,” said city Comptroller John Liu. He said the city will also struggle without the local government aid, and suggested Paterson tap the state’s $1 billion rainy day fund.

New York City would also lose $53 million in funding for social services and nearly $4 million for transportation.

Smokers and students living in New York City would also feel the pinch under Paterson’s proposal. A $1 tax increase on tobacco that would give New York the highest cigarette tax in the nation, resulting in $5.25 per pack in combined local and state taxes in the city.

Paterson is proposing $47.7 million in cuts from the City University of New York, but would allow CUNY to set its own regular tuition increase. It could vary by campus and wouldn’t require legislative approval. Public and private college students would also see a $75 cut in their Tuition Assistance Program financial aid.

Paterson also wants to change the way the school tax relief program, known as STAR, is handled in New York City. The benefit would be limited to the first $250,000 of personal income.

Currently, taxpayers who earn more than $250,000 receive more than 50 percent of the overall benefit from the tax rate reduction, but represent 2.9 percent of the total number of recipients. Paterson says the change would save $143 million in fiscal year 2010-2011.

Paterson would also eliminate the $3 million state subsidy of the New York City Housing Authority, requiring it to work within its own $2.8 billion operating budget.