Regional Initiatives – Central New York

The Enacted Budget provides $1.5 billion in school aid for the Central New York region, a substantial increase of $130.4 million (9.2 percent). The City of Syracuse School District will receive $249.1 million in school aid, an increase of $232 million (9.3 percent).

Additionally, the Enacted Budget provides critical funding of $20 million to help finance the Connective Corridor project in Syracuse as part of the City-by-City initiative to break gridlock on projects that are vital to the Central New York economy. Up to $13 million is also included for improvements and expansion efforts at Magna Powertrain in East Syracuse, which will help retain 1,800 jobs.

Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM) revenue sharing funding will total $122.2 million for Central New York, an increase of $11.1 million (10.1 percent). In Syracuse, AIM funding will total $76.2 million, an increase of $7.4 million (10.8 percent).

Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) funding for Onondaga County will total $4.75 million, an increase of $575,540 (13 percent), which will help fund important infrastructure initiatives. The continued capping of local Medicaid costs and the state takeover of the Family Health Plus program will save Onondaga County taxpayers $17.2 million in 2008-09.

A summary of budget actions affecting the Central New York region is included below.

SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS FOR CENTRAL NEW YORK – 2008-09 ENACTED BUDGET

Syracuse-Central New York Region

• School Aid. Total NYS School Aid to Central New York school districts will increase from $1.42 billion in 2007-08 to $1.55 billion in 2008-09, an increase of $130.4 million or 9.2%.
• STAR Property Tax Relief: Total STAR property tax relief to residents of the Syracuse-Central New York region will increase from $298.8 million in 2007-08 to $311.5 million in 2008-09, an increase of $12.7 million or 4.2%.
• Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM): Total Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) funding for Syracuse-Central New York residents will increase from $111.0 million in 2007-08 to $122.2 million in 2008-09, an increase of $11.1 million or 10.1%.
• Transit Operating Aid. Total State Transit Operating Aid to Central New York Regional Transportation Authority (CNYRTA) will increase from $28.3 million in 2007-08 to $28.8 million in 2008-09, an increase of $522,000 or 1.8%.

Onondaga County

• School Aid. Total NYS School Aid to Onondaga County school districts will increase from $571.7 million in 2007-08 to $621.6 million in 2008-09, an increase of $49.9 million or 8.7%.
• Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM): Total Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) funding for Onondaga County residents will increase from $71.5 million in 2007-08 to $79.0 million in 2008-09, an increase of $7.5 million or 10.5%.
• Medicaid Cap/FHP Takeover: Projected savings for Onondaga County for the Medicaid Cap and State takeover of Family Health Plus will total $17.2 million in 2008-09.
• Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS): Total CHIPS (Consolidated Local Street and Highways Improvement) Funding for Onondaga County will increase from $4.17 million in 2007-08 to $4.75 million in 2008-09, an increase of $575,540 or 13.8%.
• Economic Development: $20 million will be provided to help finance the Connective Corridor project in Syracuse, as part of the Executive Budget’s City-by-City Fund. Additionally, up to $13 million will be available for Magna Powertrain in Syracuse.

City of Syracuse

• School Aid. Total NYS School Aid to the City of Syracuse school districts will increase from $249.1 million in 2007-08 to $272.3 million in 2008-09, an increase of $23.2 million or 9.3%.
• Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM): Total Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) funding for City of Syracuse residents will increase from $68.8 million in 2007-08 to $76.2 million in 2008-09, an increase of $7.4 million or 10.8%.

Oneida County

• Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM): Total Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) funding for City of Rome residents will increase by $782,619 or 8.8% to $9.7 million in 2008-09
• Medicaid Cap/FHP Takeover: Projected savings for Oneida County for the Medicaid Cap and State takeover of Family Health Plus will total $10.8 million in 2008-09.
• Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS): Total CHIPS Funding for Oneida County will increase from $2.98 million in 2007-08 to $3.40 million in 2008-09, an increase of $423,621 or 14.2%.

City of Utica

• School Aid. Total NYS School Aid to City of Utica school districts will increase from $84.8 million in 2007-08 to $94.7 million in 2008-09, an increase of $9.9 million or 11.7%.
• Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM): Total Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) funding for City of Utica residents will increase from $15.5 million in 2007-08 to $17.2 million in 2008-09, an increase of $1.6 million or 10.8%.

Chenango County

• Medicaid Cap/FHP Takeover: Projected savings for Chenango County for the Medicaid Cap and State takeover of Family Health Plus will total $2.5 million in 2008-09.
• Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS): Total CHIPS Funding for Chenango County will increase from $1.58 million in 2007-08 to $1.80 million in 2008-09, an increase of $222,132 or 14.1%.

Otsego County

• Medicaid Cap/FHP Takeover: Projected savings for Otsego County for the Medicaid Cap and State takeover of Family Health Plus will total $3.0 million in 2008-09.
• Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS): Total CHIPS Funding for Otsego County will increase from $2.20 million in 2007-08 to $2.55 million in 2008-09, an increase of $351,340 or 16.0%.

Oswego County

• Medicaid Cap/FHP Takeover: Projected savings for Oswego County for the Medicaid Cap and State takeover of Family Health Plus will total $5.9 million in 2008-09.
• Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS): Total CHIPS Funding for Oswego County will increase from $2.34 million in 2007-08 to $2.69 million in 2008-09, an increase of $352,868 or 15.1%.
• Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM): Total Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) funding for City of Fulton residents will increase by $210,151 or 13.5% to $1.7 million in 2008-09