Senate Takes Action to End GEA

ALBANY, 01/11/16 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today announced senate passage of legislation (S.6377) that completely eliminates the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) this year.  The bill, co-sponsored by Senator Seward, would erase the $434 million in GEA cuts remaining for schools in 2016-17.  The bill will be sent to the assembly.

“Ensuring our schools have the resources they need to help students grow and meet new challenges has always been one of my leading priorities.

“Since 2010, schools across New York have been losing money to a financial scheme known as the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) which has withheld millions of dollars of promised state aid.  I voted against the GEA and have been working to make the state repay our schools ever since - so far 85 percent of the original cut has been restored.

“Now, one of the first bills approved by the senate in 2016 is a measure I am co-sponsoring calling for the remainder of the GEA to be zeroed out this year. 

“By making this the first order of business in 2016, my colleagues and I are sending a clear message that we intend to lead the fight to increase investments in our local schools and our children's future.  Additionally, I will continue to fight for increases in operating aid and foundation aid - other sources of state funding that are vitally important to our area schools.

“I want to make certain that state funds go to the schools that need it most, such as the districts in our area, to help our students achieve more and our families afford their property taxes.”

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