Assemblyman Curran opposes governor's school aid cuts

To the Editor:

As many residents know, Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently released his 2011-12 New York State Executive Budget in Albany. Within his executive budget, Cuomo has proposed to reduce state school aid in the amount of $2.8 billion. Locally, Cuomo’s cut will result in an 8.7 percent reduction in school aid to the Valley Stream School District 13, and a 12 percent reduction in aid to Districts 24, 30 and the Valley Stream Central High School District. Translated into real dollars, that is an $809,000 cut in aid to District 13, a $629,000 cut in aid to District 24, a $661,000 cut in aid to District 30 and a $2 million cut in aid to the Central High School District.

Whereas I have always agreed with Governor Cuomo that New York state must begin to spend less in these economically trying times, I will not accept that such a reduction in spending should come at the detriment of our children and our Valley Stream school system. Cuomo’s budget unfairly and disproportionately decreases the amount of school aid sent to the Valley Stream school districts, as well as all of the other school districts in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

In Cuomo’s budget, schools in Nassau and Suffolk counties, which educate 17 percent of the students in the state, receive only 12 percent of the total aid allocated by the state. However, schools in New York City, which educate 38 percent of the students in the state, receive 40 percent of the total aid allocated by the state.

Additionally, Cuomo’s proposed budget reduces Nassau/Suffolk school aid by 17 percent, where school aid to New York City schools is reduced only by 12 percent this year.

There is no doubt that New York state finds itself at a difficult crossroads in its history. Unsustainable spending levels and reduced revenue streams have resulted in a $10 billion deficit this year alone. The need for reduced state spending and smaller state government is required and was rightfully echoed by Cuomo in his first State of the State Address. Clearly, everyone in the state will be required to bear some of the fiscal pain associated with this year’s budget.

However, Cuomo’s budget proposal to unfairly reduce state school aid to the Valley Stream school districts is unacceptable. The residents of the 14th Assembly District are willing to join with the governor in righting the fiscal ship of the state. But we will not be willing to accept a share which is greater than our proportionate responsibility.

Rest assured that I will continue to push and fight for increased school aid funding by New York state for the children of the Valley Stream school districts in this year’s budget.

Brian Curran

New York state assemblyman

14th District