Assembly’s budget boosts state aid for area school districts

DelMonte unveils tax cut package for state budget

Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, March 23, 2006

The New York Assembly brought forward a proposal for the 2006-07 state education budget that would give area school districts more financial aid to provide their students with the tools necessary to succeed in a global economy.

The Assembly plan would increase the education budget by $1.33 billion for the upcoming school year.

Under the Assembly’s proposal, the Niagara-Wheatfield school district would receive an increase of $1.1 million for a total of $24.6 million in state aid; Lewiston-Porter an additional $235,303 for a total of $12.7 million; and Starpoint an additional $309,316 for a total of $17.2 million.

Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte, D-138 District, said the Assembly’s education budget puts Niagara County students first by providing the necessary investments to create smaller class sizes, enhance the universal pre-kindergarten program, purchase new books and computers, and provide state dollars to modernize outdated school buildings throughout the county.

“The Assembly believes we have a moral and constitutional obligation to ensure that our children receive a solid education,” she said, adding that through 2011-12, the Assembly’s foundation formula will increase state aid for every school district.

“To further meet the needs of our students, the Assembly’s budget includes a capital program, ‘Expanding our Children’s Education and Learning,’ that provides $2.6 billion in addition to building aid,” she said. “School districts in the City of Niagara Falls, Niagara-Wheatfield and Barker would benefit from this program.”

The Assembly’s budget also sets aside $100 in new money out of the current funding of $204 million for universal pre-kindergarten, a program that has been proven to have a positive effect on children as they grow. According to DelMonte, the Niagara Falls and Niagara-Wheatfield school districts would benefit from this funding.

In addition, the Assembly’s education budget would restore cuts to several reimbursable programs, such a BOCES, special education and building aid.

“Last year, when school districts incurred these expenses, they were counting on a full reimbursement from the state,” DelMonte said. “The Assembly’s budget does what the governor’s budget failed to do – it honors our commitment to them.”

DelMonte said the Assembly’s budget proposal surpasses Gov. George Pataki’s funding.

“The governor proposes far less than what our schools need to achieve higher economic standards,” she said. “By adequately funding our schools, we can ensure that our children will be prepared for the challenges of the 21st century economy.”

• DelMonte announced a $2.4 billion tax cut package that will be contained in the state Assembly budget plan. At the heart of the package are proposals that intend to provide direct tax relief to working families throughout New York.

“Under the assembly’s plan, 90 percent of the benefits will go to 90 percent of the taxpayers. This is a vast improvement over the governor’s plan, in which 83 percent of the benefits go to the wealthiest 13 percent. Our plan will do more for more New Yorkers,” DelMonte said.

The proposal rejects the governor’s extension of the state sales tax on clothing and footwear under $110, which is scheduled to expire April 1. The Assembly’s plan would make the elimination permanent, saving shoppers almost $600 million per year.

“The regressive 4 percent state sales tax on clothing and footwear costs working families hundreds of millions of dollars every year,” DelMonte said. “Removing the sales tax will keep more money in the pockets of working families while helping small businesses stay competitive.”

The Assembly also proposes to eliminate the marriage penalty tax, and to increase the standard deduction for head of household to equal married filing jointly – raising the head of household deduction to $15,000, saving the average taxpayer about $300 per year.

The budget plan also contains $620 million in tax relief to New York families, and includes a $300 per child tax credit for families that earn between $24,000 and $110,000 per year.

“We must do everything we can to keep taxes down and let working families keep more of their hard-earned money,” DelMonte said. “I am committed to negotiating a fair and on-time budget that provides much-needed tax relief.”