Hawley says he is pushing for more AIM funding from state for towns, villages

‘Do not be mistaken, I have not sat back idly while rural communities are hurting.’

Legislative column from Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Throughout my time in the state Assembly, I’ve taken great pride in uplifting small-town communities like the one I grew up in.

Steve Hawley

I’ve seen rural New York as a veteran, farmer and businessman. I’ve served in numerous positions in local government from the county legislature to the Planning Board. I’ve spent my career fighting against downstate special interests in the state Assembly and creating jobs for rural New Yorkers in the private sector.

Because of this, I understand firsthand the immense impact that Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM) has on small-town communities.

Increasing AIM funding for rural communities like those in Orleans County has been one of my top priorities as an assemblyman. Every year, I hear testimonies from local leaders saying we need to increase funding for this program.

Unfortunately, AIM funding has stayed essentially stagnant for over 10 years. Even worse, the state comptroller has said AIM funding has actually decreased in value due to inflation. This lack of action from the Majority limits the impact of this vital program and deprives localities of the funds they desperately need. But do not be mistaken, I have not sat back idly while rural communities are hurting.

I continue to push legislation that I had a number of years ago that would change the formula on how AIM is distributed to small cities, towns and villages. My proposal would create 2 Tiers:

“Tier 1” would include a town with a population equal to fifteen thousand or less, a village with a population equal to ten thousand or less and a city with a population twenty thousand or less receiving 80% of the total AIM funding.

“Tier 2” would include the remainder of the towns, villages and cities, receiving the remaining 20%. This is not the only example of my colleagues and I pushing for increases in AIM funding. Each year, my minority colleagues in the Assembly and Senate propose boosting other types of funding as well for localities.

But why do downstate politicians fight so hard against increasing AIM funding? The answer is simple, upstate communities do not get the same priority the city does. We’ve had this same issue when it comes to funds for local roads.

If we were talking about increasing funding for New York City, we would’ve had AIM increased 12 years ago. I’ve spent my time in Albany fighting for Western New York’s way of life and that starts with making sure our small towns and villages get the funding they need.

New York is more than just one city or region. We’re a collection of diverse and complex localities that form the backbone of our state. It’s about time the Majority recognizes this and provides the long overdue increases to AIM funding for our upstate communities.

Editor’s Note: Hawley’s column was in response to an Orleans Hub editorial, “Where is outrage over state shafting villages, towns with AIM funding?”