Assemblyman Skartados (D-Milton) announced the Assembly passed a 2013-14 state budget proposal that includes an increase of $834 million in school aid, over last year (E.182). This is an increase of $334 million above the executive budget proposal. The Assembly’s budget also closes an estimated $1.4 billion budget deficit without raising additional taxes.
“My colleagues in the Assembly have shown with this budget that we are committed to investing in our children’s future,” Assemblyman Skartados said. “Increasing state aid to our schools will help them continue to provide the quality education our children deserve while helping hold the line on local property taxes.”
The Assembly budget also rejects the executive’s plan to freeze expense-based aids to school districts and instead, utilizes the most current data and redirects an additional $208 million into the Foundation Aid formula to ensure the neediest schools see additional aid. The proposal also restores $100 million to Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) and includes proposed changes to the education formula to take into account current population trends in order to ensure that schools receive their fair share.
Pre-K education has long been a priority of Assemblyman Skartados. The Assembly’s budget preserves the full $25 million pre-K grant and modifies the grant to authorize new half-day and full-day slots.
“Investing in pre-K will provide our children with the head start they need to be successful in school and in life,” Assemblyman Skartados said.
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- Assemblyman Skartados Supports Assembly Budget Proposal That Increases School Aid by $834 Million