Regional Initiatives – Long Island

The Enacted Budget provides $2.6 billion in school aid for Long Island, an increase of $235.8 million (9.9 percent). Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM) revenue sharing funding will total $28.6 million in that region, an increase of $984,257 (3.5 percent).

Additionally, the budget provides critical funding for research and development activities on Long Island, including $5 million for the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and $10 million for the SUNY Stony Brook Energy Research Center.

To finance important infrastructure initiatives, Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) funding of $6.25 million is provided for Nassau County, an increase of $537,919 or (9.4 percent), and $5.61 million for Suffolk County, an increase of $237,166 (4 percent).

The continued capping of local Medicaid costs and the state takeover of the Family Health Plus program will provide significant savings to Nassau County ($45.8 million) and Suffolk County ($44.8 million) in 2009.

A summary of budget actions affecting Long Island is included below.

SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS FOR LONG ISLAND – 2008-09 ENACTED BUDGET

Long Island Region

• School Aid: Total NYS School Aid to Long Island school districts will increase from $2.39 billion in 2007-08 to $2.62 billion in 2008-09, an increase of $235.8 million or 9.9%.
• STAR Property Tax Relief: Total STAR property tax relief to Long Island region residents will increase from $1.04 billion in 2007-08 to $1.08 billion in 2008-09, an increase of $38.9 million or 3.7%.
• Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM): Total AIM funding for Long Island region residents will increase by $984,257 or 3.5% to $28.6 million in 2008-09.
• Metropolitan Transit Authority: Total State Transit Operating Aid to the MTA and its commuter railroads will increase from $2.4 billion in 2007-08 to $2.5 billion in 2008-09, an increase of $105.2 million or 3.9%.

Nassau County

• School Aid: Total NYS School Aid to Nassau County school districts will increase from $789.9 million in 2007-08 to $885.5 million in 2008-09, an increase of $95.6 million or 12.1%.
• STAR Property Tax Relief: Total STAR property tax relief to Nassau County residents will increase from $505.7 million in 2007-08 to $524.7 million in 2008-09, an increase of $19.0 million or 3.6%.
• Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM): Total AIM funding for Nassau County residents will increase by $728,691 or 3.8% to $19.8 million in 2008-09.
• Medicaid Cap/FHP Takeover: Total savings for Nassau County for the Medicaid Cap and State takeover of Family Health Plus will total $45.8 million in 2008-09.
• Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS): Total CHIPS funding for Nassau County will increase from $5.71 million in 2007-08 to $6.25 million in 2008-09, an increase of $537,919 or 9.4%.
• Metropolitan Transportation Authority Long Island Bus (MTALIB): Total State Transit Operating Aid to the MTALIB will increase from $47.9 million in 2007-08 to $57.8 million in 2008-09, an increase of $9.9 million, or 20.7%.

Suffolk County

• School Aid: Total NYS School Aid to Suffolk County school districts will increase from $1.59 billion in 2007-08 to $1.74 billion in 2008-09, an increase of $140.2 million or 8.77%.
• STAR Property Tax Relief: Total STAR property tax relief to Suffolk County residents will increase from $539.4 million in 2007-08 to $559.4 million in 2008-09, an increase of $20.0 million or 3.6%.
• Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM): Total AIM funding for Suffolk County residents will increase by $255,565 or 3.0% to $8.7 million in 2008-09.
• Medicaid Cap/FHP Takeover: Total savings for Suffolk County for the Medicaid Cap and State takeover of Family Health Plus will total $44.8 million in 2008-09.
• Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS): Total CHIPS Funding for Suffolk County will increase from $5.38 million in 2007-08 to $5.61 million in 2008-09, an increase of $237,166 or 4.4%.
• Suffolk County Transit System: Total State Transit Operating Aid to the Suffolk County Transit System will increase from $20 million in 2007-08 to $22.6 million in 2008-09, an increase of $2.53 million, or 12.7%.