For Immediate Release: March 13, 2017

Contact: Gary Ginsburg | ginsburg@nysenate.gov | 518-455-2415

Senate Republicans Vote To Shortchange Public Schools

(Albany, NY) The Senate Democratic Conference today brought legislation to the Senate floor
to fully fund New York States public schools and provide long-due and essential education
investments. The Senate Republican Majority voted down this measure.

We have a responsibility as public servants to ensure all of our children, no matter their zip-
code, have access to a high-quality public education, Senate Democratic Leader Andrea
Stewart-Cousins said. No New York student should be denied access to essential educational
tools or forced into overcrowded classrooms. My Senate Democratic colleagues and I will keep
up the fight to ensure public school educators and students receive the state resources they
deserve.

Bill sponsor, Senator Kevin Parker, said, My colleagues and I are dedicated to advocating on
behalf of students in New York State and fighting hard to see that we are increasing funding for
our public school system. We have to ensure each student is receiving quality education and that
there are no disparities, specifically for students in communities of color. We will not let Senate
Republicans deter us from making an impact in our education system and advancing our
students.

In the Campaign for Fiscal Equity case, the State of New York was found to not provide
adequate aid to public schools, especially those in high-needs areas. To address this finding, the
State enacted Foundation Aid which was supposed to close the funding gaps. However, over the
past decade, state government has continued to short-change public schools. Today, districts
across New York State are owed approximately $4.3 billion in Foundation Aid, of which $3.28
billion is owed to High-Need Districts.

Legislation advanced by the Senate Democratic Conference would have taken the
recommendation of the NYS Board of Regents by fully phasing-in Foundation Aid over three
years, including $1.47 Billion in new Foundation Aid this year. The Foundation Aid formula
ensures a fair distribution of resources to all schools and their students across New York State.
Despite opposition from the Senate Republican-IDC Coalition, the Senate Democrats will
continue to fight for full-funding of Foundation Aid to ensure all New York students receive the
quality education they deserve.

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New York State Senate | DemocraticConferenceNews@nysenate.gov | 518-455-2415