Grisanti: More than $865,000 in funding for Town of Hamburg from video lottery terminals in 2014 state budget

Grisanti secures an increase from 2013; additional funding to Erie County

State Sen. Mark Grisanti has announced his efforts were successful in obtaining additional funding for the Town of Hamburg in the 2014 state budget from hosting video lottery terminals. Grisanti was able to secure more than $865,679 for Hamburg and $288,560 for Erie County (a total of $1,154,239).

"I am proud to have been able to secure additional state funding for the Town of Hamburg and increase that total from 2013's state budget," Grisanti said. "This is a huge victory for the Town of Hamburg, and the extra funding to the town could be used for a variety of things, like continuing to lower taxes, infrastructure or other projects."

Prior to Grisanti's time in office, the Town of Hamburg was cut by more than 60 percent in aid received from video lottery terminal funds (2008 and 2009).

Hamburg Supervisor Steve Walters alerted Grisanti of the problem in 2012. After redistricting, the senator's district included Hamburg. Since then, Grisanti has led the charge and was able to secure $680,176 in the 2013 budget, and now $865,679 in the 2014 budget.

Grisanti sent a letter to Majority Leader Dean Skelos on Feb. 5 asking him to consider the problem with the inequality of funding to Hamburg.