Documents › Board Of Trustees, 2026-01-21

budget 1 page

January 2026 Hon. Kathy Hochul Hon. Andrea Stewart-Cousins Hon. Carl Heastie Governor Senate Majority Leader Assembly Speaker State of New York 332 State Capitol LOB – Room 932 State Capitol Albany, NY 12247 Albany, NY 12248 Albany, NY 12224 Dear Governor Hochul, Leader Stewart-Cousins, and Speaker Heastie, On behalf of our cities and villages, we sincerely thank you for the long-overdue increase in unrestricted municipal aid included in the 2024-25 and 2025-26 State Budgets – the first in 15 years. The additional $50 million in funding is a much-needed step toward addressing the fiscal challenges facing our local governments. We appreciate this recognition of the vital role municipalities play in enhancing quality of life across New York State. Unfortunately, local governments continue to grapple with the impacts of inflation, the end of federal ARPA funds, persistent growth in operating costs – and now the unpredictability of future federal aid. These factors, coupled with years of underfunding and a two percent tax cap, have placed significant financial strain on many municipalities. To ensure that local governments are better positioned to weather the economic challenges they face, we urge you as part of the 2026-27 State Budget to build upon your recent investment by committing to predictable annual increases in AIM funding. Our cities and villages are on the frontlines of ensuring property tax affordability and public safety, so like yours, these are our priorities too. However, our ability to address these critical issues is directly tied to the level of support we receive from the State. We are truly stronger together so we ask that you help us to achieve these shared goals – goals that unite local officials, state leaders, legislators, and most importantly, every resident of New York. We greatly appreciate your partnership and look forward to working with you to make our communities and our State the best they can be. [attached is the list of signatories]