Governor Cuomo’s spokesman is pushing back against Mayor Bloomberg’s criticism of the state budget, saying the cut the city isn’t as the mayor describes it. And that teacher layoffs aren’t needed.
Spokesman Josh Vlasto:
The agreement restores tens of millions of dollars in additional education aid, millions to keep senior centers open, and millions to protect the homeless.
AIM aid to the city was not cut 100 percent. AIM aid was eliminated last year, so it is a zero percent decrease for fiscal year 2011-2012. Prudent budgeting would not have counted that as an increase.
In addition, the City Department of Education has a surplus of over $300 million and the City revenue position has improved so they have much less pressure on their overall budget.”
