Tools

Taxes, fees, budget cuts in 2009-10 NYS budget

Story Created: Mar 30, 2009 at 10:16 AM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 30, 2009 at 11:12 AM EDT

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The 2009-10 state budget of $131.8 billion to be adopted includes:
 

  • Essentially flat state school aid. Aid to public schools wouldincrease about $1.1 billion and eliminate the $700 million cut Governor Paterson had proposed in December. School aid will total more than$21 billion, one of the highest per capita levels in the nation.
  • About $3 billion of taxes and fees, from motor vehicle registration charges to public college tuition and other costs thatwould affect every-day life for most residents.
  • No more tax rebate checks to residents, although the STAR exemption program and NYC STAR credit will continue to provide $3.3 billion in property tax relief.
  • A bigger bottle bill. A nickel deposit would be required of bottled water, to go along with carbonated drinks.
  • Taxing little cigars often called cigarillos at the same 46%r ate applied to cigarettes, instead of the 37% rate now.
  • $125 million more to the State University of New York, for a total of $2.5 billion in funding; and $86 million more to the City University of New York, for a new total of $1.4 billion.
  • $49 million in cuts to community colleges.
  • Almost $50 million to the Tuition Assistance Program, whichprovides financial aid to college students.

 

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

What's On