NYSSBA Executive Director Says More School Aid Is Needed in Cuomo's Budget

Governor Andrew Cuomo's proposed budget increases state school aid by 3%, or about $769 million. However, when you "peel back" the layers of the spending plan, there's really not enough to cover the anticipated increase in costs to educate children in the state. That from New York State Schools Boards Association Executive Director Tim Kremer, who says it's really about a 2.3% increase. Kremer says an additional $1.5 billion in aid is needed in order to maintain what's in place right now...

Tim Kremer: need an additional $1.5 billion

Kremer says the other issue is the way the state doles out "categorical" aid, which means the money must be used for that catagory. He says when you look at that, most of that nearly $800 million is already spoken for...

Tim Kremer: most is already earmarked

Kremer says what Cuomo proposes for education funding is a starting point. However, he says early indications are that Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie also believes the increase is not enough, while Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan is "embracing" the Governor's increase, but is also saying there needs to be more cuts in spending. The budget is due April 1st.