By Jason Scheer
The restoration aid project, championed by New York state Assemblyman Tom Alfano, would help restore state Comprehensive Operating Aid (COA) funding to levels that were common just prior to the Sept. 11 attacks. COA helps school districts cover general operating and maintenance costs. Alfano said the project would also serve to reimburse school districts for the aid they had not received since the attacks. Because the COA aid did not adequately reimburse schools for their actual expenditures, many districts operated with staggering deficits and had to transfer them to taxpayers.
"As you remember, back in 2001, our country was attacked for the first time in our lifetime," Alfano said. "In addition to the tremendous loss of life and the loss of innocence we as Americans experienced, we lost a lot of revenue."
But now, he said, there is cause for optimism and reason for change. "Thankfully, the economy has in fact picked up," Alfano said.
Alfano has introduced a resolution in the state Legislature that would pay each school district's 2003-04 COA loss. In addition, the legislation also calls for a one-time retroactive restoration of aid for the remaining COA deficit for the current school year.
Finally, the legislation also notes that, at a minimum, school districts in Alfano's 21st Assembly District - West Hempstead, Valley Stream District 13, Elmont, Franklin Square, Floral Park and Sewanhaka - would be guaranteed their 2002-03 COA funding levels for the 2005-06 school year. Both the reimbursements for the past two years and the adjustments for the coming year would be covered by the 2005-06 executive budget.
"We all bit the bullet, our schools bit the bullet, we sacrificed and made due with the budget that we had to make due with," Alfano said. "But now there is money to fund the deficits that were created."
The plan would provide back payment in the amounts of $258,929, $462,538, $717,768 and $235,285 to the districts of West Hempstead, Valley Stream 13, Elmont and Franklin Square, respectively.
Alfano acknowledged that there would be skepticism. "One of the questions that residents will ask about this plan is, 'How will we pay for it?'" he said. "Just this quarter in the state, we are already ahead in tax receipts, to the tune of over $600 million. This growth more than pays for the restoration statewide, and we haven't hit the end of the first quarter."
Alfano reiterated that this is a comprehensive plan, not just one geared toward people in his district.
"It's a statewide plan, not just a Long Island thing," he said. "It's not a gimmick, and it's not a joke."
The proposal is subject to approval by a consensus of the state Assembly in order to be included in the 2005-06 state budget, which will be adopted later this year. Alfano said he is confident that the measure will be approved. "There hasn't been anyone who has presented an argument to me as to why we shouldn't do this," he said.
Local leaders encouraged
The local educational leaders in attendance lauded Alfano's efforts. Eisenberg, speaking on behalf of the West Hempstead School District, said the proposal would provide a boon for overburdened residents.
"We're very happy, because we know Mr. Alfano is a friend of education," she said. "We're very happy for this push for the restoration aid. If we can go back to the 2002-2003 school year [levels], that would be very helpful. Since that time, we have had decreases in state aid. In West Hempstead, like our surrounding districts, the burden is totally on the backs of the class one homeowners, and they are struggling."
Tim Lafferty, superintendent of the Franklin Square School District, said that for the past two years, the financial strain has been too much and has affected the services being offered to the students. "Up until this year, we've seen new programs every year, more renovations to our buildings, and we have been able to come up with that [money]," he said. "The taxpayers have always voted the budget in every year, but the amount that they are shouldering has continued to get heavier. This year, we found it has just been too much. For the first time, we have strictly a maintenance budget, with no new programs, renovations or remodeling."
Dr. Elizabeth Lisson, Superintendent of Valley Stream 13, echoed her colleague's sentiments. "The tight state budgets of recent years have put pressure on educational spending, forcing school districts to do more with less percentage of state aid," Lisson said in a statement. "There is increased pressure not only to make do with the money we receive, but to do more with the money than ever before. State aid allows us to continue to provide a very strong educational program for our students. It also helps to relieve the financial burden on our taxpayers."
Going for brokers
In addition to the restoration aid proposal, Alfano recently announced that he is cosponsoring a bill that will prevent real estate brokers from selling houses that are not in compliance with all local zoning laws and ordinances.
The measure, also sponsored by Senator Frank Padavan (R-Queens) and Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin (D-Queens), requires real estate brokers to verify that each property they list for sale is in compliance with all laws. The brokers will be prohibited from listing properties they know not to be in compliance and, according to Alfano spokesman Scott Cushing, will have their licenses revoked if they list properties that are not up to code.
Seth Bykofsky, co-chair of the Community Alliance, a quality-of-life organization, said the legislation is a positive first step in eliminating the problem of illegal housing. "No longer will real estate brokers be permitted to list houses for sale where there are blatant violations of local zoning laws," he said. "The passage of this legislation will signal an end to the days of 'see no evil, speak no evil,' where brokers knowingly and actively solicit the sale of houses that are unsafe or below code. As a means of assuring accountability from the real estate community, as well as preserving the character of our residential neighborhood, this measure has been a long time coming, and we welcome it."
Bykofsky acknowledged, however, that enforcement is the only way this legislation will be effective.
Cushing said that while it is up to the Town of Hempstead to enforce town codes, people with vested interests in their communities can contact their local assemblymen to inform them of illegal housing. Thus, when the house, or the apartment within the house, is sold, there will be action taken against the broker.
However, the legislation does not provide for action against homeowners. Instead, it is only a method of deterring real estate agents and punishing them at the point of sale.
"This is another giant tool in the arsenal to help eliminate the proliferation of illegal housing," said Cathedral Gardens Civic Association President Scott Jablow. "Homeowners beware. If the town does not fine you when you convert your home, then you'll be stopped in your tracks when you try to sell it."
Comments about this story? JScheer@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 282.
