Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) announced that he helped pass the 2018-19 state budget, which invests in Capital Region schools and makes higher education more accessible and affordable.

“One of the best investments we can make in the future of our children is providing for their education,” Steck said. “The skills they learn and the knowledge they gain will shape who they become and what they offer to the world. We need to make sure they’re ready to think critically, avoid the mistakes of past history, and take on the opportunities that await them.”

Steck helped secure funding increases in foundation aid for school districts in Albany and Schenectady counties, including:

• $406,607 for the Menands Union Free School District, an increase of 4.3 percent over last year’s budget;
• $10,702,554 for the Niskayuna Central School District, an increase of 2.98 percent over last year’s budget;
• $11,949,360 for the North Colonie Central School District, an increase of 3.1 percent over last year’s budget;
• $97,453,304 for the Schenectady City School District, an increase of 3.29 percent over last year’s budget;
• $16,243,563 for the South Colonie Central School District, an increase of 1.9 percent over last year’s budget; and

To help more New Yorkers attend college, the budget provides $12.1 million to SUNY to increase community college base aid by $100 per full-time equivalent (FTE) student, bringing the total rate to $2,847 to help open more doors of opportunity for students at Schenectady County Community College.

“Community Colleges are affordable. They open doors for so many young people across our state, and securing funding increases ensures that more and more students can access the educational resources they need to build a bright future,” added Steck.