News from NYS Senator
ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS
35th Senatorial District • New York State Senate, Albany NY 12247
NEWS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: April 4, 2007
CONTACT: Yolanda Robinson
Phone: (914) 400-8847
SENATOR STEWART-COUSINS: DESPITE GAINS FOR WESTCHESTER, NYS BUDGET PROCESS STILL IN DESPERATE NEED OF REFORM
The New York State budget has been passed, but not without reminding us that the greatest challenge facing the New York State Legislature has yet to be achieved: reforming the state budget process so that decisions are made based on fairness and actual need – not politics. In the passage of the 2007-08 budget, our county will benefit greatly from almost $50 million in new education funding, which increases the state contribution to most Westchester school districts. At the same time, county property taxpayers will receive an average of $3,000 in STAR rebates and checks; almost double what Long Islanders will receive this year.
However, in the last days of negotiations, a one-time category called “High Tax Aid” was invented to provide additional dollars for education. Unfortunately, the result sent 70% of the additional funding to GOP-controlled wealthy Long Island schools, leaving 15 other eligible counties, including Westchester, without their fair share. This is a continuation of the same pork-barrel politics that define Albany politics, driving up our taxes and keeping New York from having a truly functional legislature.
Make no mistake; I’m no shrinking violet. I would never sit “quietly” during any budgetary process. The truth of the matter is the High Tax Aid distribution deal was not part of an open process. It was never brought to the Joint Budget Conference Committee, instead it all happened behind closed doors. I have always fought hard for my district and will continue to do so. But at the same time, I will continue to fight for transparency and government reform.
My election and the election of Governor Spitzer was a call from the taxpayers to see this dysfunctionality and unfairness in the system come to an end. It appears, however, that the Senate majority has either not heard this call or has chosen to ignore it.
I will continue to heed this call and fight for the taxpayers, and my message is simple: Politics must not drive public policy. Taxpayer dollars must not be manipulated for the purpose of securing one party's dominance over another - they should be allocated by a fair formula and by need. This is what the taxpayers demand and it is why I will continue to work with my colleagues and the Governor to achieve the people'sgoals.
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