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SENATOR BONACIC VOTES TO END HARMFUL GAP ELIMINATION ADJUSTMENT
January 11, 2016
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(Albany, NY)-Senator John J. Bonacic (R/C/I-Mt. Hope) is pleased to announce that he has voted in favor of legislation, (S. 6377) that passed the Senate, which would eliminate the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA). The GEA was implemented in 2010, when Democrats controlled the Senate, as a means to close a $10 billion budget gap. Since its inception, the GEA has taken billions of dollars from local school districts and as a result, has had a profoundly negative impact on our schools, especially those from upstate.
“The elimination of the GEA was a top priority of myself, and my Senate Republican colleagues,” said Senator Bonacic. “By acting on this bill at the outset of the 2016 legislative session, Senate Republicans are sending a message to parents and students that we are committed to ensuring the highest quality education for all New Yorkers. I feel strongly that the restoration of these cuts will have a positive impact statewide.”
The legislature previously reduced the GEA by $602 million dollars in the 2014-2015 fiscal year, and by $603 million in the 2015-2016 fiscal year. The remaining amount left, $434 million would be eliminated by the passage of this legislation. The bill now goes to the Assembly for its consideration.
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Go to Newsroom![Senator Bonacic is pictured with Town of Wallkill Clerk Louisa Ingrassia.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/sjb_and_louisa_ingrassia.jpg?itok=tIlnT_bk)
![Pictured with Senator Bonacic is (L-R), his grandson Cameron Bonacic, and Troop F Major Joseph Tripodo.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/sjb_troop_f_memorial.jpg?itok=mUZqmkLw)
![Among those pictured with Senator Bonacic are (L-R), Dr. Gerard Galarneau (CRMC CEO); Darrell Supak (Chairman of the Greater Hudson Valley Health System Board of Directors); Dr. James Oxley (Greater Hudson Valley Health System Medical Group President); William Rieber (Town of Thompson Supervisor); Charles Degliomini (Executive Vice President of Government Affairs and Corporate Communications); and Joshua Potosek (Sullivan County Manager).](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/crmc_ribbon_cutting_0.jpg?itok=bt_r1_lt)