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The Answers

A column on education in Watkins Glen

The following was written by Travis Durfee, President of the Watkins Glen Faculty Association. It is the fifth in a continuing series of monthly columns.

State Budget Analysis

Governor Andrew Cuomo released his proposed budget earlier this month. While the governor made headlines with his proposals to offer tuition-free higher education to middle class families and pay for it with a continued tax on millionaires, the third-term governor also included some noteworthy proposals on public education.

The executive budget includes a whopping $1B increase in funding for education. This sounds great, but closer inspection reveals that Gov. Cuomo’s budget translates to an overall state aid increase of 1.82% in Watkins Glen and 3.37% in Odessa-Montour. More school aid is needed in the enacted budget, however, to support existing programs, especially considering the tax cap.

The governor’s budget remains silent on the property tax cap, which means it is scheduled to continue in the coming year. Next school year’s tax levy limit is projected to be a mere 1.26 percent. Eliminating and amending the tax cap continues to be a high priority for communities that want to regain local control over budgets and support for education.

There are two areas of major concern contained within the Executive Budget proposal.

Replacing Needs-Driven Aid with Political Distribution:

First, Gov. Cuomo proposes eliminating school aid based on student needs and community demographics and replacing it with ... well, he didn’t quite say, which suggests that political wheeling-and-dealing will ultimately determine how our schools are funded. WGFA does not support this approach. The calculation of Foundation Aid based on students within a school district is the right approach. Going forward we urge our state lawmakers to pursue the NYS Regents target for school aid to fulfill the state’s obligation to our schools due to the 2006 Campaign for Fiscal Equity court decision.

Mid-Year Take Backs:

Second, and even more worrisome, is the governor’s proposal to legalize “the impoundment of funds.” Listen, I would not even do this to my kids. Allow me to explain.

Basically the governor wants the authority to take back aid that was promised after it has been delivered. So, if revenue falls below projections in the state’s financial plan, Gov. Cuomo’s budget director could reduce state funds (which includes school aid) at any time. This is not the way to budget.

When Isobel shovels the driveway she gets $20, and I don’t ask for half of it back if I get squeamish when balancing the checkbook at the end of the month. Gov. Cuomo should do the same, and state lawmakers should reject this proposal.

The budget did include a few brights spots by our reading.

For example, the WGFA also supports our brothers and sisters in the labor movement by endorsing the governor’s “Buy American Program,” supported in the state budget. Gov. Cuomo’s budget advances an existing program (long supported by the state AFL-CIO) that would require state agencies and authorities to give preference to American-made products. The Buy American Program only applies to the state’s purchase of steel in construction projects more expensive than $100,000. This year’s budget would grow the program to most state contracts in excess of $100,000. Considering the overall price tag on the state budget ($153B) this program could do a good deal to help support U.S. labor, which in turn supports our families and our communities.

Next steps:

We urge you to stay engaged and informed. Watch this space for updates. Contact your state legislators to let them know how the governor’s budget would affect our communities and our schools. Visit the state board of elections website to find your legislators, access their websites and contact them about this budget: http://www.elections.ny.gov/district-map/district-map.html

Travis Durfee
President
Watkins Glen Faculty Association

watkinsglenfacultyassociation@gmail.com

Photo in text: Travis Durfee.

 

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