State Budget Development Enters Home Stretch

ALBANY, 03/12/13 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) has been named to the education and higher education budget conference committees which held their first meetings today in Albany. 

Regarding his education conference committee assignment Senator Seward said:

“When it comes to education aid, much like last year, I am fighting to ensure low-wealth, high-need school districts receive their fair share.  We are already off to a positive start.  The senate budget included a plan I helped formulate which upped aid to public schools by nearly five-percent, increased restorations to the gap elimination adjustment (GEA) which has weighed on many local schools, and set a definitive timetable to completely erase the GEA.”

Regarding his higher education conference committee assignment Senator Seward said:

“Our SUNY schools and community colleges offer high quality, affordable education and drive many local economies.  The senate plan, which I endorse, increases base aid for community college students, and restores funding for vital programs like Harvest New York.  I will also work for enactment of a five-year capital plan to improve our campuses and keep pace with other educational institutions.”  

The conference committees are made up of five senators and five assemblymen tasked with negotiating budget differences between the houses, in concert with the governor, to develop a final spending plan.  The committees conduct open, public meetings which can be viewed on-line at nysenate.gov.

“Working in a bipartisan fashion through the conference committee process, I am confident we can deliver an on-time, balanced budget that controls spending, provides tax relief, and protects the key priorities valued by our families and our community,” Seward concluded.

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Photo caption:  Senator James L. Seward, left, speaks during the first meeting of the higher education budget conference committee as  Senate Higher Education Committee Chairman Senator Kenneth LaValle looks on.