Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R, C, Ref-Mahopac) is pleased to announce that funding for library construction grants have been fully restored to $34 million after the Assembly and Senate passed a budget clean-up bill (A8434/S06616) with Byrne’s support.
Upon being informed of the restoration of funding, The Brewster Public Library Director Gina Loprinzo stated, “Assemblyman Byrne has shown his commitment to libraries by his support of a bill to restore the $20 million cut to the State Aid for Library Construction Program proposed by the Governor. This support at the local level is crucial to maintaining the funding needed for libraries to continue the vital services they provide throughout the state. We are fortunate to have Assemblyman Byrne in our corner!”
Patricia Hallinan, Library Director of the John C Hart Memorial Libraryadded, “Our community has benefited greatly by library construction aid. Projects approved in 2017 and 2018 are being implemented this year to make our bathrooms handicapped accessible, improve lighting throughout our public space and install some needed safety features. We anticipate water consumption and energy savings while making the interior of our building safer and more attractive. Our library is largely funded through property taxes. These projects could not happen without additional state support.”