There is no doubt that New York is facing another tough year financially, but we must focus on our priorities. I will fight, as I did last year, to ensure the children in my community have the opportunity to receive a quality education.

The governor failed to provide any specific details on how to accomplish the goals he set forth in his State of the State address. Specifically, details regarding the court ruling that ordered the state to find a fairer school funding formula. The commission he appointed to study the issue won’t even release its report until March — two months after the governor delivers his budget proposal.

Last year, the governor released a budget that cut millions of dollars to the schools of my community — schools that struggle with too few teachers and overcrowded classrooms. Therefore, this year, I look cautiously at his commitment to high need school districts like Brentwood, Central Islip and Bay Shore.

We have a responsibility to the families of New York to provide our children with the education they’ll need to compete in tomorrow’s job market. I strongly believe that you cannot get back tomorrow what you fail to invest today. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Albany and with the parents, teachers, and community leaders at home to help guide us to a brighter future.