RITCHIE MEASURE TO HELP PROTECT SCHOOL DISTRICTS, TAXPAYERS FROM UNEXPECTED COSTS PASSES SENATE

State Senator Patty Ritchie has announced a measure she cosponsors that would protect school districts, as well as taxpayers, from unexpected costs has passed the Senate.

The measure, Senate bill 2968, would help ensure school districts and taxpayers aren’t faced with unforeseen expenses by prohibiting the state from imposing any mandates after a school district’s budget has been adopted.

“Here in Central and Northern New York, our school districts work very hard to make ends meet and provide students with the programs and educational opportunities they need to grow,” said Senator Ritchie.

“This legislation would help stop schools—and taxpayers—from being blindsided by unexpected expenses that have in the past forced some districts to reduce programs in order to manage the cost of unfunded mandates.”

Senator Ritchie’s cosponsorship of the measure continues her efforts to support our local schools and provide vitally important mandate relief. 

Most recently, she successfully advocated for passage of a state budget that included a $1.5 billion funding increase, bringing total school aid to more than $25 billion—the highest level in state history.  In addition, she also successfully fought to end the Gap Elimination Adjustment—or “GEA”—a budget gimmick which in recent years, caused severe strain on districts.

The bill was sent to the Assembly.