Bloomberg, other NY mayors take on Cuomo budget

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Credit Jerry Nadler's photostream Flickr

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is scheduled to lead off a lineup of local government officials statewide to weigh in on Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed budget.

Cuomo proposes to keep municipal aid flat, but offers some ways to help municipalities out of their fiscal crises. Monday's hearing by the Legislature is part of budget talks leading to a final state budget by April 1.

Cuomo is offering the same $715 million in unrestricted aid for the 2013-14 fiscal year as local governments are getting this year, as many outside New York City slip deeper into fiscal crisis.

Cuomo proposes a $143 billion budget that increases spending more than 5 percent, boosted by federal aid for recovery from Superstorm Sandy.