Senator Larkin Leads the Fight for Increased Education Aid in new Budget

Albany – Continuing his strong commitment to our local schools, New York State Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-On-Hudson) today was pleased to announce that the new State Budget for 2015-16 includes an increase of $1.4 billion in State Education Aid.

“A strong education starts by making smart investments in our local schools so that all children have the opportunity to excel in the classroom,” said Larkin.  “This major funding increase will ensure significant new investments in our schools, reduce pressure on property taxpayers and help chart a course toward a stronger and brighter future for our children.”

“This budget delivers millions of dollars to school districts in the Hudson Valley, while also dramatically reducing the disastrous GAP Elimination Adjustment (GEA),” said Larkin. “I am pleased that this budget cuts the GEA by more than 50 percent, and I will continue fighting to ensure its complete elimination.”

Larkin noted that as part of the 2015-16 budget negotiations he and his colleagues proposed the complete and total elimination of the GEA. In contrast, the State Assembly only proposed a partial reduction of the GEA. 

“When the GEA was adopted in 2010 by former Governor David Paterson and the New York City controlled Senate and Assembly, I spoke out and voted against it.  Since then, I have been leading the charge to abolish it because it creates severe cuts to the bottom lines for public schools,” concluded Larkin.