As local school districts struggle with crippling budget gaps, Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam) announced the Assembly passed its 2013-14 state budget proposal that includes an increase of $834 million in school aid above last year (E.182). The Assembly’s proposal calls for an increase of $334 million above the executive budget proposal and would include funding for programs essential to providing local students with a quality education, Assemblyman Santabarbara noted.

Additionally, the Assembly budget would continue its phase-in of Foundation Aid and increases it by $208 million and restore $100 million to Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA).

“The Assembly’s proposal makes significant progress toward our goal to ensure that our schools are properly equipped to provide students with a top-of-the-line education,” Assemblyman Santabarbara said. “Local schools have had their funding severely cut in recent years, forcing drastic setbacks that have trickled down to the classroom. We need to tip the scale the other way and provide our educators with the means necessary to give our children the tools to learn, develop and succeed.”

Furthermore, the Assembly’s proposal would provide a base aid increase of $150 per-Full Time Equivalent (FTE) student, which would be the second consecutive increase in community college base aid.

With the final state budget expected to be completed in the upcoming weeks, Assemblyman Santabarbara added that he remains committed to ensuring local schools receive adequate funding in the 2013-14 state budget.