The State Assembly’s Democratic majority is reportedly looking to restore some school aid.

A source told the Associated Press that under the Assembly’s budget proposal, which is expected to be unveiled today, $600 million in funding would be restored to public schools.

That would ease some of the $1.3 billion in school funding cuts proposed by Governor David Paterson and supported by Senate Democrats.

The state is looking for ways to close a $9 billion deficit by the time the budget is due on April 1.

The state’s severe fiscal woes could have dire consequences for the city.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s budget director Mark Page has asked city agencies to cut their budgets for the eighth time in two years, to offset the possible loss of $1.3 billion from Albany.

Uniformed service agencies, including the New York City Police and Fire Departments, are being asked to cut their budgets by 3.6 percent.

The Department of Education is being asked to make 2.7 percent in cuts and other agencies will have to cut their budgets by 7.2 percent.

While it will be up to individual agency heads to determine how the cuts will be made, they will likely include layoffs.

The mayor warned in January the state budget could force the city to lay off 18,000 workers.

Bloomberg has also proposed eliminating four fire engine companies, closing four swimming pools and cutting funding for libraries.

Each agency must submit a proposal by Wednesday, April 7.

(Source: http://www.ny1.com/)