Seward To Play Leading Role In Budget Negotiations

ALBANY, 03/13/15 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) has been named to the education and higher education budget conference committees and will also serve as an alternate to the general budget conference committee.

Regarding his education conference committee assignment Senator Seward said:

“The senate budget resolution accomplishes two of my primary goals – ending the disastrous Gap Elimination Adjustment and significantly raising school aid through a fair and equitable formula.  Moving forward, I will work to protect this vital funding for our students, and will also focus on the education ‘reforms’ proposed by the governor.”  

Regarding his higher education conference committee assignment Senator Seward said:

“Our SUNY schools and community colleges are the birthplace of our future leaders, and the driving force behind many local economies.  The senate plan includes several provisions to help students and their families afford the cost of college while also investing in our SUNY campuses to upgrade facilities and increase course offerings.  This is a low-risk, high-yield investment in our state’s future.”

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.

“Bipartisan conference committees have played a major role in producing four straight on-time budgets,  and I am confident this process will deliver again this year.  A final budget that cuts taxes, grows jobs, holds the line on state spending, and provides for our future is within reach,” Seward concluded.

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Photo from left: Senator James L. Seward, Senate Coalition Co-Leader Jeff D. Klein, Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos and Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie meet the media following the opening meeting of the general budget conference committee.