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Cuomo calls for more state aid for affected shoreline communities

Governor Andrew Cuomo is calling for a special session of the NYS legislature, partly to ask lawmakers to approve more money for people impacted by spring flooding.

Cuomo notes that back in July, the state passed a $45 million financial assistance package for homeowners, businesses, and local governments following the lakeshore flooding along Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence Seaway.

The governor says the grants are being administered, but he says the estimates coming in from the applications indicate that the funding required will exceed the amount already appropriated by the legislature.

Cuomo says initially, he had indicated he would propose increasing funding for the affected lakeshore properties in next year’s budget, but since then, the governor says he’s heard from many concerned applicants they don’t want to wait that long.

Cuomo is proposing the legislature appropriate an additional $35 million for the lakeshore aid applications and he says there are other pending issues that could be addressed at a special session, including the financial hardship the state will face from potential federal cutbacks.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.