State lawmakers OK bill to rebuild Yonkers schools

State lawmakers gave the green light to begin the process of rebuilding Yonkers schools.
For months, Yonkers city officials have been lobbying Albany lawmakers to pass legislation that would allow them to repair and rebuild the district's 39 schools.
Both the state Assembly and Senate approved a bill that would create the Yonkers Joint Schools Construction Board to oversee an estimated $2 billion in construction.
Yonkers can currently get about 70 percent reimbursement from the state for its capital construction, but Mayor Mike Spano says city officials will be lobbying the state for 98 percent reimbursement. 
State officials have been reluctant to provide a higher rate, saying the structure is tied to a formula based on the city's demographics.
The bill still has to be approved by the governor, and he is expected to sign it.
The project would take about 13 years to complete in four phases.