WPCNR'S ADAM IN ALBANY. By Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley, 89th Assembly District. February 12, 2005: Governor Pataki has seriously threatened the quality of New York schools. His legacy of proposing school aid cuts and devastating tuition hikes is not only irresponsible, it’s harmful – and children and property taxpayers end up paying the price.
The Legislature has historically fought to restore the governor’s cuts. Last year, we rejected the governor’s meager increases to education aid, and enacted an overall increase of $752 million – a five percent increase – which was the fourth largest in state history. This restoration of state funding for schools once again preserved vital education programs and prevented massive local property tax increases.
Under the Governor’s proposed budget, some schools will see an increase in aid, however, Byram Hills and White Plains lose funding, while many others struggle to keep up with the rate of inflation:
- Byram Hills will lose $169,092; and
- White Plains will lose $687,400.
Cuts in Building Improvements & BOCES
All our local schools will suffer from the Governor’s proposed cut to reimbursable aids such as building improvements and the BOCES program. This will have a negative impact on schools in my district:
· Katonah-Lewisboro - $114,318
· Bedford - $293,945
· Harrison - $ 83,788
· Chappaqua - $112,328
· Byram Hills - $117,131
· White Plains - $256,941
The bottom line is that our schools need more support, and our governor needs to work with the Legislature to ensure that our children are given the best possible education.
College Students Impacted by Tuition Hikes
An affordable college education has also come under attack by the Pataki administration. The attack came from Pataki’s hand-picked SUNY Chancellor Robert King who – while quietly planning a 6-month leave of absence – called for the second tuition hike in three years for SUNY schools. A $950 a year hike was adopted in 2002 and tuition has gone up $1,700 since the governor took office. Another increase would make it even harder for students to attend.
This year, Pataki has called for a $500 tuition increase – that means student tuition will account for over 50 percent of the budget for SUNY and CUNY schools. When the governor took office in 1994, the revenue from student tuition accounted for only 37 percent of the higher education budget.
The Governor has also proposed deferring 50 percent of the Tuition Assistance Program. Many students from SUNY Purchase have spoken to me about the possibility that they will be forced to end their college education as a result of this substantial reduction to TAP. Given the economic troubles facing our state and nation, now is certainly not the time to deny deserving, often underprivileged students the opportunity for a brighter future.
New York currently ranks 41 out of 50 in terms of annual percentage change in state support for higher education operating expenses for 2004 – 2005, according to new research from Illinois State University. We must do more to help our students, not hinder their chances of succeeding. I call on the Governor to change directions and focus on our students needs both in secondary and higher education.
I have continuously worked to provide our schools and SUNY with the funding they need to provide a quality, affordable education and increase aid for students through the Tuition Assistance Program. Property taxpayers and students are being asked to sacrifice too much. It’s time for the governor to make a real investment in our future – in our children.
