Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) announced that the 2015-16 State Budget puts families first by restoring much-needed funding for our schools, making it possible for more students to achieve a college education and helping New York’s struggling families. The $150.3 billion plan also funds numerous economic development projects to create more jobs and continues the state’s fiscal discipline by holding spending growth to less than 2 percent for the fifth consecutive year.

"Enacting a good budget means making sure that the priorities important to New York’s families are put first," Assemblyman Thiele said. "The Assembly stood up for the programs that make a difference in people’s lives and secured needed investments that will make New York a stronger place to live, work and do business."

Investing in our schools

"When it comes to our schools, students have to be our top priority. We must be doing everything we can to ensure they are getting the quality education they deserve," said Thiele. "By securing critical increases in funding to ensure our schools have the resources they need, this budget puts students first."

The budget secures a $1.6 billion increase in education aid over last year, for a total of $23 billion. This includes:

• a $19 million increase to support grants for a total of $90 million;
• a school aid run increase of nearly $1.3 billion, which includes $428 million for Foundation Aid;
• $603 million to cover more than 50 percent of the remaining Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA);
• $269 million to fully reimburse districts for expenses they have incurred such as transportation and BOCES;
• $75 million in grants for struggling schools;
• $20 million in grants, including aid for libraries, teacher centers and bilingual education; and
• $2.3 million to support a rate increase for 4201 schools for a total of $98.5 million.

The funding is tailored to support the schools that need it most, with 68.5 percent going to high-need districts, 25.7 percent going to average-need districts and 5.8 percent going to low-need districts.

To help students attending nonpublic schools, the final budget adds $5 million in Comprehensive Attendance Policy funding. Total nonpublic aid in the budget is $171.4 million.

Additionally, the budget includes a $30 million increase in pre-K funding for 3- and 4-year-olds.

Building the Higher Education Road to Success

The 2015-16 State Budget implements the Assembly’s Higher Education Road to Success by making access to college a priority. Earlier this year, the Assembly unveiled this initiative aimed at increasing the number of students enrolling in, and completing degrees at, colleges and universities. The Higher Education Road to Success also sought to remove obstacles to attending college and invests in skill-development programs to help all students become qualified candidates to fill good-paying jobs in New York’s changing economy.

The plan invests in New York’s public higher education system and includes an increase in support for SUNY community colleges of $100 per full-time equivalent (FTE) student, for a total of $2,597 per FTE student – representing significant mandate relief for counties. Additionally, the agreement includes a 20 percent increase to opportunity programs at SUNY, while opportunity programs administered by the State Education Department (SED) will see a 15 percent increase:

• Educational Opportunity Program (EOP): $4.4 million increase for a total of $26.8 million;
• Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge program (SEEK): $3.9 million increase for a total of $23.4 million;
• Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP): $3.8 million increase for a total of $29.6 million;
• Liberty Partnerships: $1.9 million increase for a total of $15.3 million;
• Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP): $1.7 million increase for a total of $13.1 million;
• Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP): $1.3 million increase for a total of $9.9 million; and
• College Discovery: $187,000 increase for a total of $1.1 million.

The agreement supports SUNY programs as follows:

• $18.6 million restoration for SUNY hospitals to help support New York’s world-class teaching hospitals;
• $8.5 million for ATTAIN work-training computer labs – a $500,000 increase from last year;
• $1.5 million increase to Educational Opportunity Centers, for a total of $53.5 million;
• $1.5 million for the Graduate Achievement Placement program; and
• $600,000 for the SUNY Graduate Diversity Program, for a total of $6.6 million.

In an effort to ensure the buildings and classrooms students learn in are world-class, the budget provides $605 million in capital funding for SUNY.

Additionally, the 2015-16 State Budget includes $5 million for a new New York AIMS Merit Scholarship program, $5 million for the Get On Your Feet Loan Forgiveness program, $1.4 million to allow disabled students greater access to the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), a $250,000 increase for the Social Worker Loan Forgiveness program, for a total of $1.5 million, and a $50,000 increase for the Farmer Loan Forgiveness Program, for a total of $150,000.

The budget also requires schools to use a Standard Financial Aid award letter, which includes the four-year estimated cost of attendance to help make the costs of college clear to students and parents.

"Every student in New York should have the opportunity to obtain a college education – it’s that simple," Assemblyman Thiele said. "The Assembly’s Higher Education Road to Success is a firm commitment to our children that we will work to ease barriers to college and help them reach their full potential."

Investing in economic development

"The budget builds on the progress we’ve made to strengthen our economy as it recovers from the recession," said Thiele. "By continuing to invest in our communities and our workforce, we’ll help ensure sustainable economic growth."

The final budget includes $1.5 billion in economic development funding for the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, along with $200 million over three years in grants to local governments whose sewers and water mains are in need of repair or replacement. It also includes $400 million over five years for a new Regional Significant Infrastructure Program to promote local economic development through workforce development, manufacturing, agriculture and tourism initiatives. Additionally, $385 million is included for a state and municipal capital program.

To help each region capitalize on its unique strengths, the state budget includes funding increases of:

• $1.28 million for Centers of Excellence research facilities at public universities across New York, totaling $1 million for each of the 10 centers;
• $1 million for New York State incubators, for a total of $6 million for the New York State Business Incubator and Innovation Hot Spot Program;
• $500,000 for the Centers for Advanced Technology, for a total of $14.32 million; and
• $500,000 for local tourism matching grants, for a total of $4.32 million.

The final budget includes $365,000 in additional funding for the Minority- and Women-owned Business Development and Lending Program, for a total of $1 million. The budget also requires the MWBE Disparity Study to be completed in six months, rejecting the one-year extension the governor proposed. In addition, funding has been provided to create seven full-time positions at the Department of Economic Development in an effort to increase participation by Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) in state contracting.

The 2015-16 spending plan also provides an additional $1.5 million for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), for a total of $3.45 million. Through a network of regional centers, the SBDC provides business counseling and training to New Yorkers looking to start a business or further develop an existing business.

Further, the final budget includes an additional $300,000 – for a total of $1.8 million – for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), which facilitate loans to small businesses that may otherwise not qualify for a bank loan and provide counseling for small-business owners.

Additionally, the final budget maintains funding for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs) and the Marchiselli Highway Improvement Program and sets forth an additional $50 million for extreme weather recovery across the state.

"This year’s harsh winter has taken its toll on so many roads and bridges throughout the state," Assemblyman Thiele said. "The budget invests in making repairs to our transportation infrastructure to ensure safe, reliable travel for our families while creating jobs."

Increasing access to affordable child care

"There’s no reason anyone should ever have to choose between their child and their job, but increasingly, New Yorkers – especially women – are being forced to make this decision," said Thiele. "This budget will help make quality child care more affordable and accessible to the families that need it most."

The Assembly Child Care Workgroup, created in 2013, conducted several roundtables to examine the causes and effects of New York’s child care crisis, as well as develop ideas to expand and improve the state’s child care system.

Based on the findings and recommendations from the Child Care Workgroup, the budget agreement includes nearly $34 million to improve our child care system and ensure more families have access to the quality, affordable child care they deserve. The following measures would be funded at:

• $5 million to provide support for 600 child care slots;
• $19.3 million for the Advantage Afterschool Program;
• $9.3 million for Facilitated Enrollment to expand eligibility for child care assistance to working families with incomes up to 275 percent of the federal poverty level, allowing parents to stay employed while their children are cared for in safe environments; and
• $1.3 million increase for SUNY Child Care Centers, for a total of $2.3 million.

The budget also includes $7.5 million – including $1 million the governor planned to cut – for the Agri-Business Child Development (ABCD) program, which provides subsidized child care for migrant farmworkers and ensures every eligible child receives quality educational, health and social services.

Increasing transparency and cracking down on corruption

"The opportunity to hold public office is a privilege granted by the people of New York State, and those who are given this privilege have a responsibility to maintain the highest level of ethical standards," said Assemblyman Thiele. "By requiring greater disclosure, transparency and accountability, this year’s state budget takes important steps toward restoring the public’s trust in their government."

The 2015-16 State Budget requires public officials to disclose outside income they receive from non-government employment on their annual financial disclosure forms. Starting Dec. 31, 2015, if a public official earns more than $10,000 per year from non-government employment, they must disclose the names of any clients or customers from whom they receive more than $5,000. They will be required to describe the types of services provided to each client or customer, or to the firm from which they received payment. Sources of outside income covered by this requirement include law practices, real estate brokers and professions licensed by the Department of Education.

Public officials will also be required to report any referrals they receive from lobbyists, and officials who provide services related to matters before state agencies will be required to provide additional information regarding their clients and customers, as well as the compensation they receive.

In addition, all public officials in a state or municipal retirement system convicted of public corruption may be required to forfeit their pensions, regardless of when they entered the system. Currently, the law only applies to officials who entered the system in 2011 or after. However, a portion of any forfeited pension may be set aside by the court for their innocent spouse and children.

"It’s simple – if you hold public office and you’re convicted of corruption, you should not be allowed to collect a pension on the taxpayer’s dime," said Thiele.

The State Budget also reforms the system of per diems and travel reimbursements for legislators by increasing electronic verification of expenditures and requiring documents related to travel and per diem expenses be made available online.

In an effort to enhance transparency in campaign communications, the final budget requires disclosure of independent expenditures prior to an election. Further, the budget strengthens the ban on using campaign funds for "personal use," and requires the Board of Elections to establish new guidelines for these expenditures.

Investing in agriculture

"Agriculture is a major component of New York’s economy," Assemblyman Thiele said. "It’s crucial we give farmers and producers the assistance and resources they need to thrive and expand, because a healthy agricultural industry means a healthy New York State economy."

The budget accepts the Governor’s $50 million plan to fund capital improvements to the state fairgrounds. Additionally, the budget includes $50 million to protect farmland in the Hudson Valley and develop agricultural initiatives in the Southern Tier.

The final State Budget also funds the following programs:

• $1.9 million for farm viability research, economic development and education projects to help farms become more profitable and sustainable;
• $1 million for a Food Hub program to develop projects that will help connect upstate farm goods to urban and suburban food businesses;
• $1 million for the Beginning Farmers NY Fund, providing grants for infrastructure to young farmers;
• $1 million for the Taste NY program, promoting New York foods at visitor centers and tourist destinations;
• $800,000 for the Farmnet program to help family farms transition to a new generation;
• $700,000 for New York apple promotion and $500,000 for research to prevent apple diseases and develop new varieties;
• $500,000 for the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program to provide coupons for low-income seniors to purchase healthy fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets;
• $500,000 for a revolving loan fund to help farmers purchase expensive drainage systems to use in farm fields;
• $392,000 for high school students in the Future Farmers of America program;
• $320,000 for research to combat a pest threatening the state’s berry industry;
• $275,000 for Cornell research programs on honey bees, vegetables, corn and soybeans;
• $250,000 for a new Farm-to-School grant program that will help increase purchases of healthy, local foods for school meals;
• $213,000 for maple syrup promotion and $125,000 for research to improve maple production efficiency; and
• $200,000 for hop and barley research to help New York’s resurgent craft beer industry.

Protecting our environment

The final budget provides for a $15 million increase in funding for the Environmental Protection Fund – for a total of $177 million – and a 10-year extension of the Brownfield Cleanup program, which helps redevelop previously contaminated properties. It also includes an increase to the financing authorization for the Superfund Program – which helps clean up contaminated properties – by $1 billion over a 10-year period. Further, in response to the increased volume of crude oil from North Dakota and other states being transported through New York State, the budget strengthens the Oil Spill Fund by increasing the amount of funding available to clean up spills and authorizes $2.1 million to be used for prevention and cleanup training.

The budget also provides $300,000 for a drug disposal program to help prevent toxic materials from polluting our water supply. Additionally, $200 million is provided in grants for municipalities for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure. The funding, which will be provided over a three year period, will help municipalities undertake projects to benefit water quality.

"We must work to protect our state’s natural resources and preserve our environment for generations to come," Thiele said. "The budget continues to invest in environmental conservation and cleanup efforts to ensure the long-term health of our communities."

Supporting our veterans

The final budget includes $350,000 for the Veterans Entrepreneurial Assistance Program to provide veterans the training they need to start a new business.

"Our veterans and their families have made unimaginable sacrifices to defend our freedoms," Thiele said. "Now it’s time we look out for them and provide them with the opportunities and support they need to get ahead."