Last week, the Mineola American printed village Mayor Martins' comments about prospective budget cuts to Mineola schools and Winthrop-University Hospital.

We are proud to say that his concerns were premature.

Mineola schools not only avoided a cut in funding, but, according to the State Education Department, actually received a $936,783 increase under the 2007-2008 state budget. This 22.41 percent increase in state aid that will ensure that our teachers will continue to be able to provide the high quality of education that our children deserve.

The final budget also included a $2.3 million in aid restorations to Winthrop-University Hospital. The funding was part of comprehensive health care package with bipartisan support that balanced the vital roles that our hospitals and nursing homes play in our communities with the landmark health care reforms proposed by Governor Spitzer.

Thanks to this plan, Nassau's 27,000 uninsured children now have access to the medical care that they need, tough measures to crack down on Medicaid fraud are now in place, and the process of making health care more accessible and more affordable to all New Yorkers has been jump-started.

To everyone who took the time to contact us with their thoughts and concerns during this budget process, we thank you.

We all take the responsibility that you have entrusted us with seriously and want to do everything we can to make Mineola, Long Island, and New York state a better place to live and raise a family.

Craig M. Johnson

7th Senatorial District

Tom McKevitt

17th Assembly District

Michelle Schimel

16th Assembly District