Cahill: Assembly Budget Increases Education Funding, Protects Mental Health Services and Provides Mandate Relief

Proposal also defends Belleayre Ski Center funding

March 11, 2013

Albany, NY – Assemblymember Kevin Cahill (D – Ulster, Dutchess) announced the Assembly passed a 2013-14 state budget proposal that would increase education funding, provide mandate relief for local governments and protect vital programs that help New York’s most vulnerable citizens, all while closing a $1.35 billion budget gap.

“Over the past three years, we’ve had to deal with unprecedented economic problems, extraordinary budget gaps and growing needs at every level. We met those challenges with fair, on-time budgets. This proposal provides a platform to advance budget negotiations that address the real world needs of New Yorkers. I am confident that these talks will result in the delivery of a fiscally sound budget that will produce significant savings for years to come,” said Assemblymember Cahill. The next step in the budget process is legislative budget conference committees.

2013-14 ASSEMBLY BUDGET PROPOSAL HIGHLIGHTS

Education

The Assembly budget proposal includes an increase of $834 million in school aid above last year and an increase of $334 million above the executive budget proposal. As part of the aid increase, $208 million is included for Foundation Aid, $25 million for High Tax Aid and $100 million for Gap Elimination Adjustment.

“It is important now more than ever that the Legislature honor our requirement to provide a sound, basic education to the children of New York,” said Cahill. “Schools are on the verge of not only becoming fiscally insolvent but also educationally bankrupt. This increase in State Aid will relieve property tax payers of a burden while saving schools from having to cut all but the most important programs. Balancing the budget on the backs of students is shortsighted and I am pleased that the Assembly has continued their long tradition of protecting public education.”

The Assembly also allocates $60 million of the Executive's $125 million in Performance Improvement, Management Efficiency, and Commission Grants to fund General Support for Public Schools. It dedicates $25 million for the creation of additional half-day pre-Kindergarten slots through the preservation of the Pre-Kindergarten grant.

The Assembly proposal increases funding for critical education programs including:

• $10.2 million for Teacher Resource and Computer Training Centers which were eliminated in the Executive Budget;
• $4 million for Aid to Non-public schools for comprehensive attendance policy programs;
• $1.5 million for the administration of all high school equivalency diploma exams; and
• $1 million for Adult Literacy Education.

Health Care

The Assembly budget proposal restores $120 million to not-for-profit organizations that work with individuals with developmental disabilities. The Assembly also provides an additional $20 million to maintain state-operated mental health services.

“The devastation a six percent decrease in funding for these direct care providers, many of which are located right here in the 103rd Assembly District, would cause was made clear by a number of mental health advocates within our community. The Assembly’s funding restoration will allow individuals with developmental disabilities to continue to live productive and happy lives and for the organizations that care for them to maintain safe staffing levels,” said Cahill.

The Assembly budget proposal also rejects the Executive’s recommendation to eliminate spousal refusal and restores $34.3 million to Medicaid in support of this program.

Additionally, the Assembly rejects the executive budget proposal to modify the Early Intervention (EI) program and restores $420,000 for screening assessments, continuing a lifeline for many families who need these critical testing services for their children.

Higher Education

To bolster New York’s higher education system, the Assembly budget proposal increases support to $2,422 per-Full Time Equivalent (FTE) student at SUNY community colleges. The Assembly’s base aid increase is $150 per-FTE student, which would be the second consecutive increase in community college base aid.

“Investing in community colleges and their valuable workforce development programs is one of the most effective ways to rebuild our economy. Additionally, providing more state funding to these institutions encourages counties to keep their commitment to operating our community colleges.”

The Assembly budget proposal also includes $55 million in capital funding for a third round of NYSUNY 2020 Challenge Grants.

Mandate Relief

"Talk of mandate relief in Albany is commonplace. Real action is a bit more elusive. When my colleagues in local government ask for help with unfunded mandates, they are usually making a plea for more funding. The Assembly proposal to significantly increase unrestricted local assistance makes a bold commitment toward dealing with this pressing issue. It will continue to be one of my top priorities,” said Cahill.

The Assembly budget includes an 11.2 percent increase in municipal assistance for cities, towns and villages– the first increase in 5 years. Additionally, the bill maintains this new funding level for a total impact of $660 million to help our struggling local governments provide the essential services residents depend on.

“By increasing aid payments for local governments struggling to get by, we can help them balance their budgets and lessen the burden on local property taxpayers,” Cahill said. “Since our proposal is a multi-year plan, it will help municipalities plan accordingly in future years. Each and every single municipality in the 103rd Assembly District will receive an increase in funding because of this provision.”

Further assisting counties, the Assembly provides $120 million over two years to accelerate the state takeover of local Medicaid growth. Under the Assembly proposal, 2013-14 growth in the local share of Medicaid would decrease to 1 percent, instead of the 2 percent increase under current law. In 2014-15, growth in the local share of Medicaid would be eliminated.

To help local governments repair local roads and bridges, the Assembly funds the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) at $378.1 million, an increase of $15 million.

Increased Funding for Belleayre Ski Center

The Assembly’s budget proposal includes language which would ensure that Belleayre Mountain Ski Center would continue to receive adequate funding in light of its 2012 transfer to the Olympic Regional Development Authority. The budget language directs $500,000 of the total ORDA apportionment toward the Shandaken facility so that it may continue to be the economic engine for the route 28 corridor that it was before the consolidation.

“This language fulfills a commitment made to those in the Catskills who rely on the mountain’s success for their livelihood,” said Cahill. “This funding stream ensures that Belleayre’s interests will not be put behind other ORDA controlled centers and that it will receive the attention it deserves.”

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