Assemblyman David G. McDonough recently announced that the New York State Budget, passed by the Legislature, includes increases of more than $750 million in funding for public schools, which is a 5.2 percent increase over last year.

"Our children are our most valuable resource and this budget assures that all students in New York State will receive an exemplary education. The increase in education funding for this budget will help reduce the property tax burden for local residents," said McDonough.

Also included in this year's budget, legislation was passed that would restore funding to several programs, including an additional $555 million, bringing the total aid to $751 million for the 2004/2005 fiscal year. Full restoration of the BOCES aid is funded at $45.4 million. Teacher programs are restored ($71.6 million) and Comprehensive Operating Aid (COA) is increased by $119.8 million. The 2004-05 state budget will continue the School Property Tax Relief (STAR) program by providing $3 billion in property tax savings.

The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) has been fully restored to $201.3 million without the provision to defer a portion of a student's TAP award until graduation. Other restorations include BUNDY Aid ($1.5 million), the Regents Professional Opportunity Scholarships ($2.6 million), the STEP/CSTEP program ($305,000), and the HEOP program ($770,000) as well as a $115 base aid restoration per full-time equivalent (FTE) student at CUNY and SUNY community colleges.

This budget increases the General Fund spending by $3.7 million for the Department of Labor for SFY 2004-05. Worker protection fees increase by $1.6 million and, in addition, $3.6 million in funding from the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) programs are allocated to the Displaced Homemaker program.

Legislation also passed which restores $2.3 million for Office of Children and Family Service Programs including Case Worker Education and Training ($648,850), Youth Development and Delinquency Prevention ($1.2 million), and Child Advocacy Centers ($307,800).

"While there is good news for the people of New York contained in this budget, it must be tempered by consideration of the process itself. It is my hope that before next year's budget cycle is upon us, the Legislature will take a serious look at the Assembly Republican "On-time, Every-time" budget proposals that would make late budgets a thing of the past in New York State," concluded McDonough.