News Release - Governor Cuomo Signs Facilities Modernization Program Bonding Clarification Into Law

 City of Rochester

News Release

(Friday, June 1, 2012) – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has signed into law a bill that modifies Rochester’s School Facilities Modernization Program Act (FMP) to clarify that bonds issued to carry out the purposes of the FMP will not add to the City’s $119.1 million, yearly Maintenance of Effort (MOE) obligation to the Rochester City School District (RCSD).

The provisions of the amended law will allow for the contracting and bonding process to move forward so students and faculty will have modern and safe, reconstructed school buildings for learning and teaching. Under current financial constraints, Mayor Thomas S. Richards and City Council determined that the City could not move forward with the bonding for the FMP if the debt service increased the City’s MOE payments, which are by far the highest of upstate cities.

“I would like to thank the Governor for his prompt action on this bill,” said Mayor Richards. “The Governor recognized the importance of the FMP to our teachers and students. With his signature on the bill, the formal process for issuing the bonds can begin next week. I would like to thank all of those who worked together to get this legislation passed. First and foremost, my thanks go to Assemblyman David Gantt for sponsoring the bill in the Assembly and to Senator Joseph Robach for sponsoring the bill in the Senate. The bill represents a collaborative effort and could not have been possible without the cooperation and assistance of RCSD Superintendent Bolgen Vargas, Rochester Teachers Association President Adam Urbanski and the support of the local Building Trade Unions.”

City Council authorized bonding for up to $150 million for the FMP at its May meeting subject to the approval of this legislation.

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For more information, contact Gary Walker at 428-7405.