Senator Nozzolio Participates In Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Education; State Ed Commissioner Supports Eliminating the GEA

This week, Senator Michael Nozzolio participated in the Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Education to provide a thorough review of issues affecting education in New York State. The Senate and Assembly jointly convened the hearing in Albany and testimony was received from educational leaders throughout the state.

“In addition to working toward an on-time budget, this hearing is an important first step towards creating new initiatives and legislation to strengthen our education system,” said Senator Nozzolio. “During the hearing I was pleased to learn that State Education Commissioner Mary Ellen Elia shares my belief that the Gap Elimination Adjustment must be fully restored this year,” said Senator Nozzolio.

Earlier this month the Senate enacted legislation, which Senator Nozzolio co-sponsored, to eliminate the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) in the 2016-2017 school year and beyond. The measure awaits action by the New York State Assembly.

The GEA was an unfair state aid cut to schools that was enacted in 2010 by the New York City legislators who, at the time, controlled the New York State Senate, the State Assembly and the Governor's office. This disastrous reduction in state aid to schools was instituted in 2010 as a way to close the enormous budget gap that New York faced as a result of millions of dollars in overspending that year. When it was adopted in 2010, Senator Nozzolio spoke out against and voted against this ill-advised budget bill.

“A great education is the key that can open the door to a bright future for our children. Providing our local school districts with necessary funding is of the utmost importance and I am happy that Commissioner Elia agrees, and is advocating that the GEA must be eliminated once and for all,” said Senator Nozzolio.