NY State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced on May 28, that the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2026-27 Enacted Budget includes $135 million in vital aid for distressed cities across New York State that are struggling with budget deficits.
“So many of our cities are struggling with budget deficits as they work to meet vast and diverse needs of their communities,” Speaker Heastie said. “The Assembly Majority is committed to being true partners in governments and making sure they don’t have to go it alone. This investment will help our cities, our communities and our people.”
The spending plan includes an additional $135 million in funding above the executive’s budget proposal to help municipalities across the state balance their budgets and erase structural deficits across the SFY 2026-27 and 2027-28 budgets, including:
$40 million for Yonkers;
$25 million for Buffalo;
$20 million for Albany;
$20 million for Rochester;
$20 million for Syracuse; and
$10 million for Mount Vernon.
Yonkers is also set to receive an additional $12 Million in Bullet Aid from the state. But both items, $40m + $12M=$52 Million, were already included in Mayor Mike Spano’s proposed budget, so they do not reflect a decrease in the proposed 5.25% property tax increase.
There is still a $20 Million shortfall-deficit in the Yonkers Public Schools budget. Due to declining enrollment in YPS, it is likely that the School Board and Superintendent will be asked to close that gap without additional funding.
An upcoming budget hearing at Saunders High School on May 28 should include residents and homeowners opposed to the tax increase.