Assemblyman Tom Alfano, ranking member of the Assembly Labor Committee, recently announced his strong support and endorsement of two measures that will help relieve school districts of increased energy costs this winter. The move, according to Alfano, is to help relieve taxpayers and to assist districts that have pre-budgeted energy costs before sharp increases to fuel prices as a result of natural disasters and instability in the Middle East.

"This is just a beginning in trying to address the needs of heating, fuel and energy costs that directly impact taxpayers," Alfano said. "This is a bipartisan approach that provides direct relief through grants and pooling of energy resources through good business practices."

The Alfano-backed plan is a bipartisan effort being led by Assemblymembers Peter Rivera of the Bronx and Assemblyman Paul Tonko, chairman of the Assembly Energy Committee from upstate Montgomery County. "This energy plan goes to the heart of the problem in addressing increased energy costs. By aggressively addressing our needs now we can take steps to help local property taxpayers and provide the services to our local schools."

Part I of the plan removes the diesel fuel taxes paid by bus operators and school districts across New York State. Currently, there are over 55,000 diesel fuel powered buses serving over two million children. According to the assemblyman, approximately 53 cents in federal and state taxes are paid per gallon by the buses. Many school districts own and operate their bus fleets. However, many districts contract with outside services where the plan will assist districts.

Part II of the plan will be music to many districts' ears, Alfano noted. It immediately establishes the New York State School District Energy Cost Stabilization Fund. According to many fiscal experts, districts may see a rise of over $36 million or more in diesel than may have been budgeted and approved by voters in school budgets. Consequently, the plan will provide direct grant dollars to school districts to bridge the gap between fuel and heating costs. The plan allows the commissioner of education to provide school districts with grants totaling $100 million over two years. The funds are to be earmarked to reduce disruption to academic programs during the school year and to minimize school property tax increases.

Assemblyman Alfano pointed to the many factors that the plan would take into account in helping relieve the districts. "One of the main factors in this plan is the impact to school districts, property taxes and energy conservation. More importantly, it establishes an energy stabilization fund to help relieve taxpayers and to make sure that local schools will be able to bridge the gap in costs."

The School Energy Plan, according to the assemblyman, is to be taken up during the beginning of the legislative session in January. "I want to make sure that we move on this important issue as soon as possible," he said. "Simply stated - it's relief for our taxpayers and it's relief for our schools and warm classrooms and fueled buses for our children."