Comptroller Tom DiNapoli today proposed a legislative package aimed at helping local governments reeling from the impact of Superstorm Sandy.

“The effect of Sandy on our communities has been devastating,” said DiNapoli. “To help local governments limit further economic consequences, we should provide municipalities and school districts with additional financial tools to reduce the fiscal impact of this storm on local taxpayers. Our communities need help to put the pieces back together.”

The legislation comes as the state and city of New York seek $60.4 billion in supplemental aid from the federal government, but the provision faces opposition from the GOP-led House of Representatives.

DiNapoli introduced four bills in the Assembly and Senate that would address the cost of Sandy.

One measure eases the restrictions on the use of reserve funds (commonly referred to as a government’s “rainy day” fund) in order to cover costs for school districts and municipalities.

Another bill would allow a local government to make property assessments of areas heavily damaged by the storm. Two wothers would deal with flexibility of loans in order to cover storm costs including internal loans from a government line item.

The total impact of Sandy on the state’s budget hasn’t been assessed and the deficit prior to the storm was believed to be under $1 billion. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who recently walked back the notion that the storm doubled the deficit, said a new deficit number would be available by next month.

Share|