New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF, WE-Sag Harbor) today blasted Governor Cuomo’s proposed $25.6 billion school aid package as totally inadequate for eastern Long Island.

Thiele stated, “The Governor gets a failing grade when it comes to educating our children on eastern Long Island. He brags that he is increasing aid to education by $961 million or 4.1% across the State. 14 of the 19 school districts in the 1st Assembly District get less than the 4.1% state average increase. Four (4) districts get a decrease in aid. The Governor’s proposal is only 46% of the $2.1 billion recommended by the State Board of Regents.”

Thiele added that the Foundation Aid formula initiated back in 2007 continues to be a failure for Long Island. “Only 3 of 19 school districts in the 1st Assembly District would get an increase in the category of Foundation Aid of more than 2%. Only 2 school districts would benefit from a new aid category for Community Schools. The State aid proposal is skewed against Long Island.”

Thiele explained that at the same time Long Island school are being short-changed in State aid; the State Property Tax Cap for 2017 for school districts will be 1.26%. “I have been a strong advocate of the property tax cap. I was one of the original sponsors in 2011. However, I have consistently said that the success of the tax cap depends on two other variables. For the tax cap to succeed, there needed to be (1) adequate State aid and (2) relief from unfunded State mandates. The Governor’s proposal fails both tests. The Legislature must fix this recipe for disaster by providing both additional aid for Long Island and mandate relief.”

Finally, while the Governor provides for a proposal to reduce property taxes by requiring counties to develop shared services plans, the proposal does not include school districts which constitute about 70% of the property tax across Long Island. The Governor does not put forth a plan or the dollars necessary to foster school consolidation or shared services.

Thiele concluded, “The State Legislature will have to work together regardless of geography and political party to provide a real school aid plan that serves all New Yorkers. The Governor is not up to the task.”

GOVERNOR’S STATE AID PROPOSAL FOR THE 1ST ASSEMBLY DISTRICT