Statement By Senator Bill Larkin On Cfe Court Decision

I agree with the Court of Appeals decision on the Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) case. This latest ruling upholds my position and that of my colleagues in the State Senate in regard to providing the children of New York State with a sound basic education. The court’s decision makes it clear that the education spending plan advanced by the Governor and the Senate was more than sufficient to meet the needs of schools, not only in New York City, but throughout the State.

It is important to note that the Court of Appeals also reaffirmed our stand on the fact that it is not the jurisdiction of the courts to determine how much the State should spend on education. This is the responsibility of the Governor and the Legislature.

Education has always been the Senate’s top priority. Accordingly, we have been successful in the fight for record increases in school aid over the last 12 years in particular.

As we approach the upcoming 2007 legislative session, I look forward to working with a new Governor and the Assembly on the state budget and hope that we can continue this record of fair and equitable school aid to every district in the State.