Estimated aid for 2005-06
$16,012137
$6,049,281
$19,741,728
$7,734,849
$3,789,959
$5,764,143
Increase from last year
$1,442,299
$300,635
$779,683
$619,743
$174,542
$160,811
Percent increase from last year
12.76
5.75
2.25
9.67
6.11
1.27
On-time budget proposes aid increases
Alfano happy with package for Elmont, FS, Sewanhaka
By Jerry Burke
"On time and the biggest school aid package in New York history," declared Assemblyman Alfano last Friday as the budget was being passed on the floor of the State Assembly. According to Alfano, the school aid package portion of the budget shattered all records in school aid appropriation to the 21st Assembly district. It's the largest in New York State history for the area. Alfano was very pleased with the package declaring, "No doubt about it - this is a big win."
The new state budget was a direct outgrowth of the Assembly budget resolution that Alfano supported just three weeks ago. In the series of votes on the resolution, Alfano broke with Republican party leaders and backed aid to schools, hospitals and higher education. "It was the right thing to do and special interests were defeated," said Alfano. The resolution also set the stage for negotiations over the final budget package that resulted in the first on-time budget in over 20 years.
The state budget battle over aid to schools was settled, according to Alfano, with schools in the 21st Assembly district receiving increases in school aid on many levels. Alfano, who just three weeks ago publicly called for more aid at Elmont's school finance summit, got his wish with increases operating aid and restoration of BOCES, special education and categorized aids. "This was a great start on my plan, but we have to do more for our schools and taxpayers," Alfano said.
The aid packages announced as the bills were passed in the Assembly and Senate had marked increases in categorized aids and comprehensive aid that Alfano termed critical for local schools. "Schools will get the resources they need and school districts will know what to budget for. Now, for the first time in 20 years, school districts can get right down to business of budgeting for education," Alfano said.
Alfano also cited the great team effort put together with local Superintendents Dr. Maria Palandra, Dr. Tim Lafferty, Dr. John Williams, Dr. Bill McDonald, Dr. Carol Eisenberg and Dr. Elizabeth Lison who worked with him to identify school needs. "It was a real partnership and I can't thank them enough for their help and support. Alfano also cited School District Boardmember liasons Jean Fichtl of Franklin Square, Aubrey Phillips of Elmont, Marty Kaye of West Hempstead and Dr. Frank Chiachierc of Valley Stream 13 for their support.
"In Franklin Square, we work hard at keeping our costs down," said Fichtl. "Increased school aid means that we can continue to provide a quality education while keeping the taxpayer in mind."
"This is great news for the Elmont community," added Phillips. "This on-time budget helps us meet our needs and invests in our children.. Phillips also noted how having all the numbers on the table more than a month before the vote gives them more confidence going forward.
Williams, going through the process of passing a budget vote for the first time since his last district, in Scranton, PA, didn't hold a vote, agreed. "There are many variables that affect the property taxes paid by our residetns," said Williams. "An on-time budget sends more of our own money back from Albany and enables us to make dollar-for-dollar additions to the revenue side of our budget, which in turn reduces the tax levy."
