Erie County Legislators Joe Lorigo, John Mills, Ed Rath, and Frank Todaro introduced a resolution voicing opposition to Governor Cuomo’s decision to withhold Aid and Incentives to Municipalities funding from 12 cities across New York State, including the cities of Buffalo and Lackawanna. The resolution recently gained the unanimous support of the Erie County Legislature.

Citing revenue shortfall created by COVID-19, Governor Cuomo is withholding 20 percent of AIM funding from cities, which amounts to $20 million dollars from the City of Buffalo alone.  Other cities impacted include Lackawanna, Rochester, Syracuse, and Yonkers.

Legislator Todaro said, “Seemingly lost on New York State is the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has put increased financial stress on all municipal governments, and the state withholding funds will have immediate negative consequences for municipalities. Withholding these funds creates additional stress on local budgets. This is something my colleagues and I will continue to monitor on behalf of taxpayers.”

A copy of the resolution can be viewed here.