Senator Monica R. Martinez and Her Colleagues Deliver Funding to Secure a Better Future For Our Schools

(Albany, NY)  On April 1, 2019, Senator Monica R. Martinez, in partnership with her colleagues in the State Legislature, voted to pass the FY 2020 budget for New York State. The following provisions have been included in the finalized budget as it relates to education funding, childcare, and family services.

Education Funding:

Senator Martinez continued to advocate for increased school funding down to the very last hours of negotiations, and despite this very difficult budget year, the agreement still delivers a record amount of school funding to New York’s students. The Senate Majority worked together to put the needs of our children’s futures above all else by protecting the educational programs and initiatives they need and deserve. The adopted budget includes increases to education aid by over $1 Billion, bringing the total funding to $27.9 billion dollars, with $34 million of those dollars going to schools in the Third Senatorial District. Additionally, the following funding has also been included in the finalized budget:

- $618 million increase in foundation aid (statewide)

- $342 million to fully fund expense based aid (statewide)

- $5 million for Empire State After School Programs in Nassau and Suffolk Counties

- $500,000 for gang prevention programs in Nassau and Suffolk Counties

- $96.6 million for library aid (statewide)

- $5 million additional increase in library aid

- $903,000 for Henry Viscardi School

- $475,000 for school administrators professional development

With the rejection of the so-called equity plan, which would limit school districts from making impossible funding decisions within their own districts, the State Budget takes steps to empower teachers, administrators, and students. The Senate Majority also ensured expense-based aid was not consolidated, and worked to make sure building aid would still be available.

Childcare and Family Services:

Senator Martinez successfully secured $250,000 for Long Island Pre-Kindergarten Technical Assistance Center, $750,000 for the New York State Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs, and $50,000 for Helen Keller Services for the Blind on Long Island. The following additional funds were also secured in the budget:

- $1.5 million for Community Voices for Youth and Families of Long Island

- $1.5 million in additional funding for the Youth Development Program

- $1 million for at-risk youth services in Nassau and Suffolk

- $1.25 million for 2-1-1 United Way Helpline

- $180,000 for the Long Island Youth Foundation

- $100 million of OASAS funding to be dedicated to opioid addiction prevention, treatment and recovery

- Increased access to treatment by eliminating prior authorization for 28 day inpatient treatment for substance use disorders

“We must continue to increase our commitment to each child by providing schools with the crucial funds they need to provide a quality education that will allow their students to succeed and flourish,” stated Senator Martinez. “I would also like to take this opportunity to reinforce my steadfast commitment to fully delivering the Foundation Aid that is owed to school districts as soon as possible. I want my constituents to know that I remain committed to this goal, and that I will continue to fight for what is rightfully theirs without shortchanging others.”

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