State Budget Provides Added Education Aid

ALBANY, 03/26/12 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today commented on the education aid portion of the 2013-14 state budget: 

“Students statewide should have access to a quality education that prepares them to move forward in life, regardless of where they live.  The aid conversation in recent years reflects that belief and the distribution of state dollars once again this year is another step toward helping our upstate, low-wealth schools.”

As a member of the joint budget conference committee on education Senator Seward worked to boost school funding by $1 billion.  Seward also advanced a plan increasing restorations to the gap elimination adjustment (GEA) which was a major cause of concern for local schools.  Seward was disappointed, however, that the assembly would not include the senate’s plan establishing  a definitive timetable to completely erase the GEA in three years.

“I fought to ensure local schools received their fair share of state aid this year, and were better positioned for future years as well.  Even in a tight budget year, the overall education aid package delivers for students, schools and property taxpayers, and represents a substantial reduction in the gap elimination adjustment,” Seward concluded.

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