Senator Kenneth P. LaValle expressed disappointment over the Governor’s veto of legislation he and Assemblyman Marc Alessi sponsored that would allow the Rocky Point School District to receive $2.4 million in building aid for capital improvement projects within the district. The school district had depended on certain state aid formulas to ensure the flow of these funds. Senator LaValle noted that, in spite of fiscal problems, the state has an obligation to the people and the Governor cannot abrogate that responsibility.
According to the Senator, the Rocky Point School District submitted capital projects that met the State Education Department (SED) requirements but the late filing of a final cost report made the district ineligible for funding. “While the district could have demonstrated better management with regard to the timely completion of paperwork, the taxpayers are the ones who will suffer the consequences of this administrative error,” said Senator LaValle. “I am troubled by the Governor’s veto of the measure I sponsored that would allow SED to continue the claims process.
“As our state struggle’s to regain its economic footing, investing in our children’s education is more important than ever,” Assemblyman Marc Alessi (D-Wading River) said. “I have worked diligently to ensure that our schools receive the support they deserve, and it’s disheartening to hear that Governor Paterson has vetoed legislation that would have delivered vital funding to the Rocky Point School District but I will continue to work to ensure that our schools get the funding they deserve”.
“The Governor is well aware that skyrocketing school taxes are driving people from their homes in search of a more affordable way of life. I believe that his veto of this corrective measure is insensitive to that issue and is in keeping with his New York City agenda. This is certainly an item we will consider overriding as the cost of this oversight will place an unanticipated hardship on district residents,” concluded Senator LaValle.
