Assemblyman Michael Cusick
delivers for working families

Fighting for Staten Island students

Assemblyman Cusick understands that by investing in education we are investing in our children’s future – allowing them to succeed in an ever-changing global economy. That’s why he fought to secure much-needed funding for New York’s education system.

With the largest education investment in New York State history, New York City schools will receive $714 million more than last year – a 10 percent increase.

Reducing class sizes in NYC schools

In addition to providing crucial funding, Assemblyman Cusick also worked to reduce class sizes in our overcrowded New York City schools.

The 2007 budget requires New York City to prepare a Contract for Excellence that must include a plan to reduce average class sizes within five years in the specified grade ranges and class size reductions for low-performing and overcrowded schools.

Comparing the average class size in New York City to classes in the rest of the state reveals an overwhelming disparity – a disparity that must end.

Expanding early education

The budget provides $60.3 million more for New York City schools to advance the Assembly’s plan to provide statewide universal pre-K and ensure that every 4-year-old in the state has the opportunity to get a head start on school.

The budget also provides $22.5 million in transitional aid that will go to public schools that lose students to charter schools. This aid will help funnel needed resources into our public schools to help ensure a quality education for all our children.

Helping local private and parochial schools

This year the Assembly was successful in providing local and parochial schools with $39 million more than the governor’s proposed budget – helping to defray educational expenditures. The budget also provides additional computer hardware aid to schools – increasing the rate from $19.25 to $24.20 per student and, for the first time, providing it to non-public schools.

Standing up for Staten Island families

This year, Assemblyman Cusick:

• Helped pass a law repealing the city’s 4 percent sales tax on clothing and footwear over $110 – making shopping for clothes and shoes more affordable for Staten Island families (Ch. 82 of 2007)

• Fought for STAR rebates for eligible Staten Island homeowners

  • The maximum rebate for eligible homeowners will be $127, the minimum $64

  • For New York City seniors who qualify for Enhanced STAR, the average savings will be an additional $95

• Helped increase the NYC Star Personal Income Tax Credit by $60 to $290 for married taxpayers who file joint returns and by $30 to $145 for single taxpayers and heads-of-households

• Fought for legislation that creates an independent judicial district in Richmond County to give Staten Island its rightful representation within the city (A.2688). (This legislation passed both the Assembly and Senate and awaits action by the governor.)