First, starting Jan. 1, 2016, downstate libraries will no longer be required to pay the Metropolitan Transportation Authority commuter tax applicable to employers in the MTA region. This puts libraries on equal footing with other local, public educational institutions.
Second, the budget includes $5 million in additional operating funds over last year's budget, a funding increase of six percent.
“I am very thankful to the speaker, the Senate majority leader and the governor for recognizing that these issues are important to the strengthening of our public libraries,” said Abinanti. “I will continue to advocate for the betterment of our libraries which are critical to our communities in so many ways.” Abinanti recently announced these budget victories at a press conference at the New Rochelle Public Library in Westchester County.
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