(Albany, NY)-New York State Senator John J. Bonacic (R/C/I – Mt. Hope) announced that the New York State Senate passed a $142 billion 2015-16 State Budget which increases education funding by $1.4 billion, invests in our infrastructure, and spurs economic growth.

 For the fifth straight year, the 2015-16 State Budget keeps within a two-percent spending cap and rejects tax increases.  Highlights of the 2015-16 State Budget include:

 INCREASED AID TO EDUCATION:

·         $1.4 Billion Increase in School Aid which reflects an increase of hundreds of millions of dollars above what the Executive Budget originally proposed;

·         $603 million in Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) cuts restored and the Senate will continue to work towards the full elimination of the GEA once and for all;

·         $14.2 million in funding for teacher centers to enhance professional development; and

·         Total state aid for education of $23.5 billion will be distributed throughout the state. 

INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE:

·         $1 billion in additional funds to repair and replace roads and bridges across the state. This is an increase of $250 million from the Executive Budget proposal of $750 million;  

·         $488 million to support important local highway, road, and bridge repair projects, including $438 million through the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS); and

·         Local governments will be getting $50 million to address this year’s severe winter weather that resulted in a significant number of potholes and road surface damage.

PROMOTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

·         Upstate economic revitalization projects will receive $1.5 billion across 7 regions to spur economic development and job growth;

·         $500 million to develop high-speed internet access; and

·         $50 million for the Southern Tier and Hudson Valley Farm Program.

MAKING HIGHER EDUCATION MORE AFFORDABLE:

·         $20 million increase for SUNY and CUNY community colleges by increasing full-time equivalent (FTE) funding by $100. Base aid will be $2,597 per FTE for the 2015-16 Fiscal Year; 

·         $45 million increase in funding for Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), raising TAP funding over $1 Billion; and

·         Establishes a new merit scholarship program, with $500 scholarships going to 5,000 eligible students.

"This budget shows that bi-partisan government finds compromise and addresses the issues New Yorkers care about most," said Senator Bonacic. "This will be the fifth year in a row the State will have a budget that stays within the two percent spending cap without raising taxes."

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