Mayor Newhard Travels to Albany with New York Conference of Mayors

For Immediate Release
February 11, 2019
Media Contact: MAYOR NEWHARD

Mayor Newhard Travels to Albany with New York Conference of Mayors to Fight for Local Government Priorities, Against Cuts to Local State Aid

ALBANY, NY – Mayor Newhard is in Albany today to join The New York Conference of Mayors (NYCOM) for its annual Winter Legislative Meeting. Mayor Newhard, along with 175 other Mayors and municipal officials from across the State, will be working to advocate for their state budget priorities, including urging the Legislature to reject the Governor’s proposed elimination of $59 million in Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM funding) for 1,300 municipalities, and instead provide the first increase in municipal aid in a decade.

Additionally, Mayor Newhard and other members of NYCOM will be advocating for additional state funding for municipal infrastructure, particularly highway funding, as well as an equitable share of the increased revenues resulting from the collection of Internet sales tax.

Mayor Newhard and other members of NYCOM will hold a press conference at 10:30 a.m. today at the Hilton Albany, the meeting location.

“The Villages throughout the State of New York are remarkable places. They are the historic centers of commerce, government and culture, and are the homes for millions of New Yorkers. Villages have also been the most picked on, challenged and targeted by Cuomo administration. The removal of AIM funding is an example of the attacks by this administration on its most vulnerable government entities,” said Mayor Newhard.

“Our Winter Legislative Meeting is an important opportunity for local leaders across the state to make their voices heard in Albany and advocate for the issues that matter to millions of New Yorkers day-in and day-out. That includes fighting for long overdue increases in state funding like AIM, which helps local governments provide vital services while managing property taxes. The coalition of mayors here in Albany today demonstrates the commitment that these public servants have to making their communities, and the State of New York, a better place to live and work,” said Peter Baynes, Executive Director of NYCOM.

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The New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials (NYCOM) is an association of, and for, cities and villages in New York. Since 1910, NYCOM has united local government officials in an active statewide network focused on the singular purpose of finding the most effective means of providing essential municipal services. Representing more than 12 million New Yorkers, NYCOM is a strong advocate for city and village interests at all levels of state government, and a leader in the training and education of local officials.