State Budget Boosts Aid to Schools in 57th Senate District

Funding to increase by almost $1 billion statewide, more than $19 million in the district

ALBANY - School aid is boosted by nearly $1 billion in the state budget, with schools in the 57^th Senate receiving more than $19 million over last year, announced Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I-Olean).

"The Senate fought hard to increase school aid to invest in our children and give relief to the taxpayers. Funding for schools in my district will total $554,616,011 – a large share of the statewide allocation of $21.1 billion," Senator Young said. 

The final budget passed by the Senate raises education funding by more than $386 million over the Governor's budget proposal of $550 million, she said.

"Most of the school aid increase over the Governor's plan is a nearly $200 million additional restoration of the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA), which was championed by the Senate and the top priority identified by my school boards, superintendents, and teachers. The Senate pushed very hard to totally eliminate the GEA, but our proposal was rejected by the Governor and Assembly Speaker," Senator Young said.

"The Senate also successfully worked to enhance foundation aid, expense driven aid, and high tax aid, all of which helps my school districts," she said.

"Overall, it is a very positive state budget for education," she said.

-30-