Senator Saland Announces Agreement Reached For The Education Budget

Senator Steve Saland (R,C Poughkeepsie), Chair, Senate Education Committee, today announced that an agreement has been reached among members of the Joint Education Budget Conference Committee for the 2006-07 Education Budget. The budget provides a record $1.1 billion increase in general support for public schools, an increase of $450 million more than provided in the Governor's budget proposal, a nearly 7 percent increase in school aid.

"I am very pleased that we were able to restore proposed cuts in BOCES and special education aid. These restorations, together with nearly $700 million in operating aids, including $375 million in sound basic education aid, provide funding to schools to reduce anticipated school tax increases, as well as maintain previously threatened education programs."

"Our budget will provide schools with record increases in critical funding," Senator Saland said. "By restoring the Governor's cuts, and providing for this record-breaking increase, we continue our committment to the education of our children, while providing much needed relief to hardworking New Yorkers."