Senator Gipson and Upstate Lawmakers Advocate for More Public Education Funding

For Immediate Release: March 26, 2014
Media Contact: Jonathan Heppner | 845.463.0840 | heppner@nysenate.gov

SENATOR GIPSON AND UPSTATE LAWMAKERS ADVOCATE FOR MORE PUBLIC EDUCATION FUNDING

ALBANY, NY – New York State Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) issued the following statement announcing that he has co-signed a letter along with fellow legislators calling for increased funding for public schools statewide and further action to address the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA):

“Our children’s education must be a top priority in New York State and not a political wedge that divides us and pits one part of our state against another. The GEA continues to force many school districts in our community to cut important positions and educational services, despite the fact that they have been fiscally responsible and stayed under the tax cap. We need to address the inequities in how we currently fund public education without stripping funding from districts or passing the buck to our local property owners.

“I have visited school districts throughout Dutchess and Putnam Counties and I have spoken with property owners at my Tax Relief Town Halls, and one thing is obvious -- the current system is not working. I urge the Governor and the leaders of both houses to adequately fund public education so that all of New York can move forward together.”

--COPY OF LETTER--