Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay) announced that the 2017-18 state budget invests in North Country schools, colleges and libraries.

“The North Country is made up of small, tight-knit communities,” Jones said. “We rely on each other. The state budget gives our local schools, libraries and colleges the funding they need to continue helping our children and communities grow and thrive.”

Investing in North Country children, teachers and schools

The 2017-18 state budget increases education aid by $1 billion for a total of $25.7 billion, a 4.1 percent increase from last year’s budget. The budget also increases Foundation Aid by $700 million for a total of $17.2 billion and provides $163 million to cover tuition costs for students at public colleges. This helps put every student on the path toward success, Jones noted.

“Our students in the North Country deserve the same quality education that students across the state receive,” Jones said. “But far too often, our schools have been underfunded and our students have been left behind. This year’s state budget fixes that – it invests in our children and eliminates barriers to their future.”

With the passage of the Excelsior Scholarship Program, Jones added, “The tuition-free SUNY plan is a step toward affordable higher education, but it should be expanded to help more North Country families that struggle with the rising costs of college expenses as well as programs to help graduates burden with student debt.”

The budget also provides $817 million for prekindergarten programs and $5 million to expand half-day and full-day prekindergarten for 3- and 4-year-olds in high-need districts. It also designates $35 million for after-school programs, $2 million for Advanced Placement (AP) Test Assistance, and $2 million for the Master Teachers Program. It also provides $400,000 for Excellence in Teaching Awards and $300,000 for cyberbullying prevention.

To further strengthen education services, the budget includes:

• $103 million in funding for 4201 schools for the blind and deaf;
• $20 million for Teacher Resource and Computer Training Centers – an increase of $5.7 million;
• $1.5 million in restorations for the Consortium for Worker Education (CWE), for a total of $13 million, to provide career training and job placement services, as well as $250,000 for an enhanced credentialing program;
• $1 million to restore funding for adult literacy education, for a total of $7.3 million; and
• $1.2 million for regional community schools technical centers.

Supporting local libraries

The budget restores aid to public libraries by $4 million to ensure they can continue to provide services and resources to residents, for a total of $95.6 million. In addition, the budget provides an increase of $10 million in capital funding for a total of $24 million.

“Libraries are a vital resource, especially in the North Country,” Jones said. “In addition to offering books and job search tools, they also host story time for children, workshops for DIYers and technology classes for seniors, just to name a few. It is imperative we keep our libraries funded so they can continue to provide vital services to our community.”

Funding public colleges and programs

The budget also includes $100 million in capital funding for SUNY, which includes SUNY Plattsburgh, for maintenance and expansion purposes. Further, the state budget allocates $450 million for SUNY for critical maintenance.

“SUNY Plattsburgh is a cornerstone of our region,” Jones said. “The budget includes much-needed funding from the state to help continue its great work educating students.”