The 2008-2009 state budget aids economic growth in upstate New York, restores critical funding for health care and keeps faith with local governments and school districts.

For many reasons, this year's budget presented the Legislature and Governor Paterson with unique challenges. I believe we reached a compromise that addresses our most pressing needs, particularly by providing $1 billion for upstate's economic renaissance, which has been my top priority since I joined the Assembly in 1991.

This major investment in our future includes $55 million for a new PAETEC headquarters in downtown Rochester that will bring renewed life and vitality to the city center. Also budgeted is $50 million for the University of Rochester Clinical and Translational Science Center, where today's emerging technologies are being transformed into tomorrow's job opportunities.

I am also pleased that the budget devotes substantial dollars for other capital projects in our area, most notably $12 million for Rochester Institute of Technology's Golisano Institute for Sustainability and $12.45 million for Monroe Community College ($6.45 million for a new field house and $6 million for MCC's Advanced Technology Education Center).

Just as important, the 2008-2009 budget protects local governments and homeowners at a time when rising fuel costs and other factors adversely affect city and town coffers. It is crucial that the City of Rochester and the towns of Irondequoit and Brighton, whose citizens I represent in the Assembly, have the support they need from Albany to continue providing essential services without placing a greater burden on local taxpayers. This budget delivers that support.

Local governments in my Assembly district will receive the following in 2008-2009:

· $95.4 million in municipal aid to the City of Rochester, a 17.4 percent increase over the previous year. The budget also gives the city a $20 million "spin up" advance to help close a potential budget deficit. Rochester's increase in aid is the highest for any upstate city in 2008-2009. My thanks to Mayor Bob Duffy for his great leadership and dedication to the people of Rochester.

· $666,062 in aid to the Town of Irondequoit, or a 5 percent increase over the current year..

· $247,077 for the Town of Brighton, a 3 percent increase.

Schools in the 132nd Assembly District will receive the following state support in 2008-2009:

· $451.9 million in total state aid for the Rochester City School District, a 9.8 percent increase.

- $25.7 million in total state aid for the East Irondequoit Central School District, a 27 percent increase.

· $23.7 million in total state aid for the West Irondequoit Central School District, a 9.3 percent increase

- $12.5 million in total state aid for the Brighton Central School District, an increase of 14 percent.-

Overall, school districts in Monroe County will receive $945 million, an 11 percent increase over the 2007-2008 budget. We have continued our historic commitment to excellence in public education, which is the foundation for everything else we hope to accomplish, particularly in terms of rebuilding our economy and our workforce.

On the health care front, the budget reverses many of the cuts to hospitals and nursing homes originally included in the executive spending plan. This is especially important with regard to the restoration of $85 million for the purpose of establishing new Medicaid reimbursement rates for nursing homes, a process know as rebasing. The state funds leverage a matching amount from the federal government, or a total of $170 million.

Nursing homes have been operating under a formula established nearly a quarter-century ago, and it is long past time to bring the system into the 21st century. I was pleased to lead the coalition of upstate lawmakers calling for this important change.

The patients who depend on these institutions, and those who own and operate them, deserve no less.

With the approval of the budget behind us, I remain concerned that the worsening condition of the national economy could have potential negative effects on revenues as the year progresses.

The challenge that remains is to be vigilant with regard to our revenue projections in the face of what many experts still predict could be a significant recession. Our spending must reflect these realities.

As the legislative session continues, I will continue to update you on the important issues that impact our state, our communities, and our families. As always, do not hesitate to contact my office at 585-467-0410 with any thoughts or concerns you may have.

For more on the 2008-2009 New York State budget, use the link below

New York State Division of the Budget

About NYS Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle

Since 1990, Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle has represented the 132nd Assembly District, which includes portions of the city of Rochester and the Monroe County suburbs of Irondequoit and Brighton. During his tenure in the NYS Legislature, Joe has made economic development and expanding employment opportunities his top priority.