Senate Passes Bipartisan Budget Resolution

CUTTING TAXES AND CREATING JOBS A TOP PRIORITY

Funding for Marlboro Central School District Also Included

Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) announced that the Senate has passed a bipartisan budget resolution that points the way towards a 4^th consecutive on-time budget.

“This budget resolution is the first step to bringing in another on-time budget,” said Larkin.  “We have made taxpayers statewide a priority with the new “Freeze Plus NY” program, which will provide $1.4 billion in additional property tax relief over the next two years.  We have also eliminated the job-killing 18-a energy tax surcharge on businesses that has stifled new business growth across the state.  These two proposals alone will bring New York’s taxpayers and businesses the tax relief they so desperately need,” said Larkin.

The Senate’s budget resolution also includes $2.4 million in state aid for the Marlboro Central School District to assist them with their ongoing budget deficit brought about by the bankruptcy of Dynegy Corporation.

The Senate’s budget resolution also includes:

●  Restoration of $541 million of the controversial Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) and complete elimination of the GEA in two years.  These two measures combined reflect a total restoration of $1.1 billion. 

●  State school aid is increased by $811.9 million over last year.

●  Library aid is increased by $8 million.

●  There is also language that will assist Universal Pre-Kindergarten statewide and New York City charter schools.

Under the Budget Reform Act of 2007, both houses of the State Legislature will now convene in open conference committees to resolve differences in their one-house budget resolutions.