Assemblyman Jim Conte knows that by providing a quality education to all of Long Island's students, we can ensure that this generation and future generations have the tools and knowledge to succeed in the 21st Century economy.
To provide Long Island students with the tools they need to succeed in the 21st Century economy, Assemblyman Jim Conte supports the following initiatives:
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Advanced Curriculum of the Sciences (A.C.S.) High Schools - Establish either distinct high schools or programs within high schools to provide students with enriched math, science and engineering curricula.
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Corporate Tax Credit - Provide a tax credit of 50 percent to New York businesses for gifts up to $50,000 for New York high schools participating in the Project Lead the Way initiative.
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Computer and School Supply Sales Tax-Free Week - Create a sales tax-free week for all education-related purchases as well as computer hardware and software. (A.2686)
Jim Conte: Working to Reform New York's Education System
School Budget Reform
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Require all bond resolution votes to be held on a set day statewide.
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Extend school budget voting hours to correspond with general elections.
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Include the county board of elections in the school budget process.
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Clarify voting locations on mailings sent out for school budget votes. (A.5958)
School Oversight Plan
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Fiscal Oversight Enhancement - Create a State Inspector General for Education who will be charged with investigating criminal activity and fraud in the education system. Require districts to post audit reports, proposed and enacted budgets, expenditure reports, union contracts, superintendent contracts and the minutes of all board meetings. Also, require additional reporting by school districts on those employees who are collecting pensions. (A.8067-A of 2008)
Supporting Affordable Higher Education
College Graduate Personal Income Tax Credit - Establish the "Graduate Outreach Assistance Program," which exempts college graduates with four-year degrees or higher from State Personal Income Tax (PIT) on the first $250,000 earned after graduation with a maximum of $50,000 per year. Also, a similar provision for two-year graduates that would provide a PIT credit for the first $150,000 earned after graduation with a maximum of $25,000 per year. (A.5549 of 2008)
