Local Lawmakers Respond to Andrew Cuomo’s Budget Proposal

Governor Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday unveiled the proposed 2013-14 executive budget and management plan that builds on two years of balanced, fiscally responsible budgeting and invests in economic development and education reform.

Republican state senator James Seward talked about education in the governor’s budget.

“He’s talking about another four and half percent increase in aid to education,” Seward said. “As we work through the process, I’m going to be making sure that our low-wealth, high-need school districts that we have in our area, the more rural part of the state, that we get the lion’s share of this new money because we don’t have that local tax base. We need to have adequate school aid coming down from the state to maintain good, sound education for our students and relief for our local property tax payers.

The executive budget reflects a continued commitment to supporting improved student outcomes, sustainable cost growth, and fair distribution of aid. It builds on the foundational work of prior years, and begins the implementation of key recommendations of the new, NY education reform commission. The total year-to-year increase in aid for education is $889 million, or 4.4 percent.

The new $135 billion executive state budget keeps state spending under 2 percent, closes a $1.35 billion budget gap and includes $7 million to market and promote upstate attractions and products.

Republican Assemblyman Cliff Crouch said he is pleased with the way the plan keeps New York moving in the right direction.

“I think the governor has laid out basically a pretty good plan,” Crouch said. “I’m pleased to see he’s not increasing taxes, number one. But also keeping state spending flat in some cases. That’s a good thing. These are some of the measures we need to take to make sure we get back on our feet.”