Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) announced his support for the Assembly’s budget proposal, which reaffirms his commitment to fully funding our schools, protecting taxpayers and enhancing Universal Pre-Kindergarten (E.203).

“A first-rate education is invaluable,” said Assemblymember Steck. “Our kids shouldn’t be shortchanged, and our schools shouldn’t have to take a back seat. The Assembly budget proposal invests in the future of our children.”

Fully funding local schools

Assemblymember Steck helped craft an Assembly budget proposal that increases education funding by $1.8 billion for a total of $23.95 billion, provides an additional $1 billion for Foundation Aid and restores $456 million in education funding owed by the GEA.

The Foundation Aid formula is where Upstate schools, especially those districts that are of average wealth and below average wealth, will see the most increase in actual aid dollars, noted Steck. This formula was developed in response to a successful lawsuit that was brought to provide fair funding for all schools in New York State. The Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) was first introduced for the 2010-11 fiscal year as a way to help close New York’s then $10 billion budget deficit. Under the GEA, a portion of the state’s funding shortfall is divided among all school districts in New York based on a formula, and each district’s state aid is then reduced accordingly. Steck noted that the GEA took more money from wealthy districts, so restoration is more favorable to those districts, rather than less affluent Upstate school districts.

“We don’t create school aid formulas to cut aid; we create school aid formulas to fairly disperse aid. I am charged with the responsibility of ensuring the districts I represent receive their fair share. Understanding the distinction between the GEA and Foundation Aid formulas is crucial to understanding how school districts are funded,” Steck said. “By increasing Foundation Aid, and reducing the GEA, in the proportion set forth in the Assembly budget, the schools in the 110th Assembly District will receive the maximum benefit from available revenue. We will be able to offer students a quality education without passing the burden onto taxpayers.”

Giving kids a head start on their education

Assemblymember Steck is strongly committed to providing access to full-day Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) for all families. The Assembly’s budget proposal increases funding for full-day UPK programs in Upstate New York by $40 million. It would also ease the financial burden on school districts Upstate by providing reimbursements in the current year rather than after the programs have been implemented.

“Child care can often be costly, and pre-K gives children an important head start on their education, while providing relief to working families. This is more and more critical when both parents are working.” Steck said. “The Assembly’s budget proposal would ensure Upstate school districts receive their fair share of resources for UPK.”

Protecting taxpayers

Assemblymember Steck is also sponsoring legislation to further protect taxpayers by lessening unnecessary expenses for local school districts (A.1240). Currently, local school districts must pay tuition and provide transportation for students residing in their district who choose to attend charter schools outside of the district. Out-of-district attendance increases costs for local school districts, which are ultimately passed along to taxpayers. Charter schools receive public education funds, and should be subject to the same residency requirements as public schools. It’s already a requirement for New York City charter schools that students reside in the community district, and this legislation would extend the same requirement to the rest of charter schools, making residency requirements uniform statewide.

Additionally, Steck is opposed to the education tax credit, which was rejected in the Assembly budget proposal. Assemblymember Steck said, “It’s important to understand that this is not a tuition tax credit for middle-class parents who work hard to send their children to private schools.” This tax credit would give an additional tax benefit for donations made to foundations associated with private schools. This would more than double the tax benefit for wealthy donors to these foundations. Steck commented, “I see no reason why donors of this type should receive a special tax benefit when they already receive a tax deduction for these donations, just like we all do when we make charitable donations. The only result of this credit would be to divert money away from traditional public schools.” In addition, the governor has not suggested a revenue stream to replace the money lost by this tax credit, noted Steck. “It is fiscally unsound.”

“A good education puts our kids on the path to success,” said Assemblymember Steck. “I’m fighting to make sure our local schools get the funding they need so that our kids receive the quality education they deserve.”