Albany – March 22, 2011 -Senator Hugh Farley (R- Schenectady) and Senator Roy McDonald (R-Saratoga) announced today that Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County would receive a portion of VLT aid, according to a three way agreement between the Assembly, Senate and Executive Chamber, the measure requires final approval in the budget by the legislature.
The agreement would restore funding in the budget for 17 host municipalities, each would receive 45 percent of their 2008 levels. The process started with the Senate including this measure in their one house budget. “This was a priority issue for Senator McDonald and I. All host communities should be treated fairly. We recognize the importance of these funds to the local communities,” said Senator Farley.
“I want to thank Senator Farley for negotiating this in his joint budget conference committee. I also want to thank members of the Assembly and the Governor’s office. It costs money to host a VLT facility, from plowing the roads to emergency response, this isn’t just aid but an investment in ensuring the continued success of the Saratoga Springs VLT location,” said McDonald.
The legislative branches must come together to pass a final budget by April 1st.
As the two Senators representing Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County, McDonald and Farley will work diligently to make certain that this measure is seen to fruition.
The measure is intended to evenly distribute aid for municipalities across the State. For Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County, who in the past two years were the only host locations to be completely eliminated from the aid formula, the Senate proposal would mean nearly $2 million in restored funding. Saratoga Springs would eligible to receive $1,496,000 and for Saratoga County $499,000.
“We never should have been denied these funds to begin with, the opportunity to reinvest in our local communities is what will continue to make Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County a successful place to live and raise a family,” said McDonald
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