Cahill Secures Final Budget Funding of Local Interest

Groups include Belleayre Mountain, Catskill Mountain Rail Trail, and the Catskill Interpretative Center

March 28, 2013

Albany, NY – As part of the budget agreement passed Thursday, Assemblymember Kevin Cahill (D – Ulster, Dutchess) announced that a number of important local organizations and projects will receive funding from New York State. Appropriations include a $1 million carve out for Belleayre Ski Center, $2 million for the Catskill Mountain Rail Trail along with a guaranteed public comment period, and $1 million for the Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretative Center. Statewide provisions such as a $936 million overall increase in State Aid for schools, the increase of base aid to community colleges by $150 per full-time equivalent student to $2,422 and the partial restoration of Office for People with Developmental Disabilities funding to direct providers will also ease pressure from taxpayers and strengthen the missions of local organizations.

“Securing funding for these causes was a top priority this budget season,” Cahill said. “Over the past three years, we’ve had to deal with unprecedented economic problems, extraordinary budget gaps and growing needs at every level. I’m pleased that we met those challenges this year with a fair, on-time budget that was passed without a message of necessity, allowing all stakeholders to view and air their concerns about the bills before they were voted on.”

School Funding

Overall school aid was increased by $436 million over the Governor’s proposed budget, bringing the total increase to 5%. A portion of this increase was directed toward High Tax Aid, a funding stream which had been cut earlier by the Governor and cost the Onteora Central School District 7% of their total State Aid. Thanks to the restoration, Onteora’s received an overall funding increase for the year. Every single school district in the 103rd Assembly district also saw their funding increase over the executive budget proposal including Rondout Valley which was set to receive a decrease.

“This increase in State Aid is a good first step on a long road toward a higher, more predictable level of funding to schools,” Cahill said. “Schools are on the verge of not only facing fiscal insolvency, but are also at risk of becoming educationally bankrupt. This increase in State Aid saves schools from having to cut all but the most important programs without having to turn to local property tax payers for more support. Balancing the budget on the backs of students is shortsighted and I am pleased that this budget takes positive steps to protect public education.”

“The Community, School Board, and School District lobbied our elected representatives and Governor and we are glad that the initial proposed cut of $500,000 is now back in the State Education budget. However, New York State Schools are still receiving 2009 state aid amounts. This fact combined with the tax levy cap is providing an environment where many of our. School Districts will become fiscally and educationally insolvent,” said Ann McGillicuddy, Onteora Board President.

Belleayre

The final budget includes language that ensures Belleayre Mountain Ski Center will continue to receive adequate funding in light of its 2012 transfer to the Olympic Regional Development Authority. A total of $1 million was directed toward the Shandaken facility including a $500,000 cut of the funding ORDA received as a part of the New York Works program.

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

“Cahill has been a long time supporter of Belleayre and we appreciate his effort and continued attention that has resulted in this funding stream. This has been a transition year but the future is bright for the region that depends on the economic health of the Ski Center,” said Joe Kelley of the Coalition to Save Belleayre.

Rail Trail

This $2 million grant will help the Catskill Mountain Railroad become an even greater a rail and trail resource which already draws tourism to Ulster County. The provision also includes language which requires an open comment period so that the concerns of the community about the future of the railroad and the importance of this trail can be heard.

"The long discussed Catskill Mountain Rail Trail will finally have the opportunity to become a reality with this and another past $1 million apportionment. This great resource will improve rail trail access to unprecedented levels. I look forward to the day when this project spans from Kingston straight through the heart of the Catskills," Cahill said.

Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretative Center

This $1 million appropriation to aid in the construction of the 2,000 square foot Catskill Interpretative Center, recently renamed in honor of Maurice D. Hinchey in recognition of the former Congressman’s environmental stewardship in our area. It will serve as a gateway physically and virtually for visitors and residents to learn about the plethora of recreational and cultural activities available in Catskill Park and the Catskill Region. Similar centers have already proved to be a tremendous success in other places including the Adirondack Park.

“I’m thrilled about this funding. Once completed, this Center will provide a great service to the Catskill community. I appreciate all the Assemblyman has done on this issue,” said Sherret S. Chase, Chair of The Friends of the Catskill Interpretative Center.

“Each year visitors come to this park in droves, yet the Catskill Park is the largest state or national park without a visitor center. This funding is a strong step toward turning these building plans into a brick and mortar facility that provides 400 regional jobs and will increase visitation by 10 percent,” Cahill said.

Aid to Community Colleges

To bolster New York’s higher education system, the final budget increases state support for SUNY Community Colleges to $2,422 per-Full Time Equivalent (FTE). This $150 per-FTE student base aid increase is 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 and takes the pressure off property tax payers and students alike,” Cahill said.

“We’re simply delighted that the Assembly and Senate agreed to add $150 per FTE student in base aid. We greatly appreciate the fact that the Legislature is trying to support SUNY’s ‘rational base aid plan’ that will bring the State’s share of community college operating funds back to the one-third level of total operating costs throughout the state.” Don Katt, President of SUNY Ulster.

Office of People With Developmental Disabilities

In the Governor’s 30-day amendments, a $120 million or 6% cut was made to OPWDD and was concentrated specifically on direct providers. The legislature successfully fought for a partial restoration of these funds in the final budget, and the final cut was whittled down to $90 million. The Budget also establishes a stakeholder workgroup to develop alternative savings actions to mitigate the impact of these rate reductions on consumers.

“Due to an outpouring of opposition to these cuts from local groups like Ulster-Greene ARC and the Anderson Center for Autism, I worked to mitigate these harsh reductions which would have resulted in layoffs and a dramatic reduction in the quality of care that people with developmental disabilities could receive in the Hudson Valley. I have a long history of standing up for those with disabilities and will continue to fight on their behalf,” Cahill said.

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