(Albany, NY)-Senator John J. Bonacic (R/C/I-Mt. Hope) is pleased to announce that he has voted in favor of legislation, (S. 6377) that passed the Senate, which would eliminate the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA). The GEA was implemented in 2010, when Democrats controlled the Senate, as a means to close a $10 billion budget gap. Since its inception, the GEA has taken billions of dollars from local school districts and as a result, has had a profoundly negative impact on our schools, especially those from upstate.

“The elimination of the GEA was a top priority of myself, and my Senate Republican colleagues,” said Senator Bonacic. “By acting on this bill at the outset of the 2016 legislative session, Senate Republicans are sending a message to parents and students that we are committed to ensuring the highest quality education for all New Yorkers. I feel strongly that the restoration of these cuts will have a positive impact statewide.”

The legislature previously reduced the GEA by $602 million dollars in the 2014-2015 fiscal year, and by $603 million in the 2015-2016 fiscal year. The remaining amount left, $434 million would be eliminated by the passage of this legislation. The bill now goes to the Assembly for its consideration.