Assemblyman Edward Hennessey (D-Medford) announced the Assembly passed its budget proposal, increasing school aid by $834 million over last year’s funding. The Assembly’s proposal also restores $25 million to High Tax Aid, which is extra funding for school districts with high property tax levies and increases Foundation Aid by $208 million.
Recently, Hennessey wrote a letter to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver requesting that High Tax Aid be restored, noting its particular importance because of Long Island’s incredibly high property taxes. By the same token, Hennessey made his support of Foundation Aid clear for high needs, low wealth school districts.
“The school districts in the 3rd Assembly District are diverse in their needs. As I’ve heard time and again during visits to local schools and in meetings with superintendents and principals, our schools’ vitality depends on High Tax Aid and Foundation Aid,” Assemblyman Hennessey said. “In order for our students and teachers to learn, grow and succeed in the classroom, our schools need adequate funding.”
Hennessey noted that while the $25 million restoration in High Tax Aid is a good first step, he will continue to fight for the full restoration of $50 million in High Tax Aid in the final state budget as well as further modifications to GEA funding.
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