Senator Parker Opposes Governor's Excessive Mid-Year School Cuts

FROM THE OFFICE OF STATE SENATOR KEVIN PARKER

718-629-6401 ph                             718-629-6420 fax

For Immediate Release: Monday, November 9, 2009

SENATOR PARKER OPPOSES GOVERNOR’S EXCESSIVE MID-YEAR SCHOOL CUTS

Brooklyn, NY- State Senator Kevin Parker has called on Governor Paterson to withdraw $686 million in mid-year school aid cuts. Recently, Governor David Paterson unveiled his Deficit Reduction Plan that included mid-year cuts to school aid along with other devastating cuts this year.  Sen. Parker argues that while there is a need to make cuts in these tough economic times, these school aid cuts are destined to undermine the quality of education in all schools and for our children.

“I will continue to fight to oppose any cuts in state aid to our school districts,” said Senator Parker.  “There are other reasonable and effective alternatives to cut funding for our schools.  By making schools adjust in the middle of their budget cycle, these cuts will undermine the quality of education in all schools.  We should exhaust all options to find cost savings and address the deficit before making a final decision on mid-year cuts in school aid.”

The Governor’s plan to cut education aid in the midst of the school year would decrease revenue for many low-income districts.  Sen. Kevin Parker has proposed the following options in a letter recently written to Governor Paterson. (See attached letter)

·         Utilization of the 1.5 billion in the state’s rainy day reserves to close out the current fiscal year in balance

·         Elimination of the Empire Zone program which would save the state approximately $600 million; this program has been ineffective and fraught with abuse

·         Bulk purchasing of prescription drugs as authorized in this past year’s state budget would save hundreds of millions of dollars and is awaiting implementation. 

The Senator is garnering support from his Senate colleagues to thwart the Governor’s proposed excessive school cuts.

 About Senator Kevin Parker

Senator Kevin S. Parker is committed to restoring the overall quality of life for the constituents of the 21st Senatorial District in Brooklyn.  A lifelong Brooklyn resident, Senator Parker has been a Flatbush resident for more than 27 years.  Having been nurtured, schooled and employed in the district, Senator Parker is intimately familiar with the needs of this ethnically diverse community that consists of 311,000 constituents in several communities which include:  Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmars Park, Kensington and Borough Park.

###