Watertown only NNY city to feel brunt of Paterson's proposed cuts

Here’s a hard fact to swallow: Of all of the municipalities in the north country, the city of Watertown will likely be the only one affected by the state aid cuts proposed Thursday by Gov. David A. Paterson.

Under the governor’s proposal to stem a $3 billion deficit in the current budget, state Aid and Incentives to Municipalities funding would be cut by $67 million statewide.

A governor’s office budget division spokesman said the proposal includes 8 percent cuts in funding to 17 cities outside of New York City.

The city of Watertown expects to lose $407,214 of the $5.1 million it budgeted to receive during the current fiscal year. That equates to roughly 1.1 percent of the $36.1 million general fund revenues the city budgeted to receive during the current fiscal year.

“This certainly has been a topsy-turvy budget,” City Manager Mary M. Corriveau said. “One day we’re receiving good news about sales tax, the next, it’s cuts in state aid. Those aid cuts have been talked about for months; we know it would eventually impact us, we hoped it wouldn’t happen mid-budget though.”

Watchdog groups are saying that by cutting AIM funding, the governor is just passing the burden of spending on to the local municipalities.

Assemblywoman Addie Russell, D-Theresa, didn’t sound very pleased by the governor’s proposal either.

The story has been filed and will likely be include in either Saturday or Sunday’s newspaper. I suggest you pick up a copy.