Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski (D-West Nyack) and Senator James Skoufis (D-Woodbury) announced that they have secured a proposal that would bring additional funding to the North Rockland Central School District in their respective one-house budget proposals. The resolutions provide additional assistance in building aid for certain school districts that are struggling with large tax certioraris. This earmarked funding is the latest in a year’s long fight to provide long-term, much needed assistance to North Rockland. Because of Zebrowski and Skoufis’ efforts, this is the first time that this type of specific funding has been included in both one-house budget resolutions.

This additional building aid will be available to school districts across the state with large tax certioraris. In order to be eligible for the funding, districts would submit documentation of proof relating to the bond to the Commissioner of Education for approval.

“This budget proposal is the relief North Rockland has been waiting for. After years of the Assembly acting alone, Senator Skoufis and I are now teaming up across the Capitol to attack this debt crisis. This funding will provide annual debt service relief of approximately $8 million; benefitting both students and taxpayers,” said Assemblyman Zebrowski.

“When I served in the Assembly with Ken Zebrowski, we championed this solution to provide long-overdue relief to North Rockland only to see the proposal die in the Senate each year. Now in a new State Senate, with new Leadership, both houses in the Legislature have passed one-house budget resolutions that include financial relief to help North Rockland's debt crisis. It's incumbent upon the Governor to commit to this aid during budget negotiations to deliver a long-overdue solution to the unique financial toll that North Rockland faces," said Senator Skoufis.

Over the years, Zebrowski and Skoufis have worked relentlessly with local officials, advocates, and taxpayers to find solutions to the Mirant debt crisis. The legislators have been successful in securing significant aid for the district, as well as pushing for various independent reports on the district. They will continue to advocate to ensure that the final enacted state budget in April includes solutions for North Rockland.