Kaminsky Votes To Address Unfunded State Mandates

(Albany, New York) –  Senator Todd Kaminsky voted for, and the Senate passed, a bill that alleviates the burden of unfunded state mandates on municipalities and school districts.  School districts and municipalities are too often forced to bear the costs associated with laws passed in Albany.  This legislation prohibits the passing of unfunded mandates by the state legislature; thereby protecting school districts and municipalities for unforeseen costs associated with laws made in Albany.

“For years, our school districts and municipalities have been constrained by these unfunded state mandates,” said Senator Kaminsky.  “Without adequate funding, schools and municipalities are left without the necessary resources, and ultimately, the cost burden is placed on the backs of taxpayers.  This bill does what needs to be done -- and shields these entities from difficult fiscal situations.”

“Villages have long been faced with the task of finding ways to fund mandates imposed by New York State,” said Malverne Mayor Patricia McDonald.  “One such example is the burden of the MTA mobility tax that adds approximately $26,000 a year to the Village of Malverne’s operating budget.    We have voiced our complaints time and time again regarding the strains these mandates place on our residents, and I am grateful for Senator Kaminsky’s support of this legislation.   I look forward to his further assistance in addressing the concerns raised by local municipalities.”

“While school districts strive to meet the needs of all learners. It becomes difficult when state generated mandates continue to increase without the resources to support those requirements,” said Oceanside School District Superintendent, Dr. Phyllis Harrington.  “It is completely reasonable to expect the state to ‘fund their rules, or change their rules.”