REAL NUMBERS: Projections show state will no longer be able to count on more money from slots, table game for schools

PIE IN THE SKY: Governor Andrew Cuomo’ recently updated financial plan  projects that the school aid provided to the state by casinos will increase 15 percent — from $140 million this year to $161 million in 2020 — mostly based on greater returns from the slow-starting Resorts World Catskill.

But estimates show, it will remain flat, and then casino monies will dip by about 4 percent to $155 million in 2022 and 2023.

Video lottery terminal aid is also expected to get a bump next year, but then decrease slightly and remain flat at $948 million until 2023.

he 2020 financial plan makes it clear that more money will likely have to be used from the general fund to pay for aid to public schools across the state.

General lottery aid, which comes from the scratch-off tickets and games such as Lotto and Mega Millions, is also projected to eventually decrease and stagnate.

Of course Yonkers will get the same fixed flat rate Rooney Family Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) that it get year after year after year.

MGM, which recently purchased Empire City Casino and Yonkers Raceway, is in the Capitol lobbying to possibly convert the property to a full-fledged casino and making all kinds of grandiose promises and projections as Yonkers school children get nothing extra

NYS school aid from casino revenues*

$140 million – 2019

$161 million – 2020

$161 million – 2021

$155 million – 2022

$155 million – 2023

* Aid comes from the tax the state places on casino slots and table games. Numbers are projections.

Source: 2020 Executive Budget Financial Plan