Latimer: Nearly 3,000 Letters Urge More State Aid For Port Chester Schools.

, D-Rye, says nearly 3,000 Port Chester residents, parents, students and have written letters urging more state aid be allocated to the cash-strapped .

"I want people to know that their letters matter," said Latimer, who is in Albany for this week's intense state budget negotiations.

Latimer has asked the state for an additional $2 million in aid for Port Chester schools to avoid program cuts and prevent a significant tax increase in the district for its 2012-2013 budget.

"I'm optimistic," Latimer said. "We've got a shot."

A key point in the budget battle, Latimer said, is a $250 million provision in which Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to use for grants to school districts. Latimer said there appears to be some flexibility in that amount, which could lead to an opportunity to boost aid for district's such as Port Chester.