THE ASSEMBLY STATE OF NEW YORK CHAIRWOMAN, ey [EDUCATION COMMITTEE COMMITTEES CGCATHERINE NOLAN, SP Assembly Dstt Ways anc Means. ‘Queene Coury Corporations, Authors, ana Commissions March 2, 2011 Honorable Sheldon Silver New York State Assembly Albany, New York 12248 Dear Speaker Silver: ‘Thanks to your leadership, education is a priority for the Assembly. We are very concerned about the impact of the governor's budget on education. ‘The executive's 201 1-12 budget relies on cuts to appropriations for programs and services to close a budget deficit. We need to take a more balanced approach to the state’s fiscal challenges. The proposed cuts to education lead New York State in a retreat from its legal, social and ethical obligation to provide a meaningful education to all students. The executive proposal cuts $1.5 billion in school funding, Seventy-nine percent of the funding subject to the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) is foundation aid. As a result, there is approximately a $1.2 billion cut to foundation aid, most of which funds the neediest school districts and the neediest students. These cuts compromise the promise of Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE). In addition, the executive budget’s GEA would cap all school aid including foundation aid based on growth in personal income. Such a cap would transform future CFE increases into little more than an inflation factor and discourage new investment in school improvement. There are alternatives to budget cuts. School district and local government consolidations can eliminate waste and save costs. New York can close corporate tax loopholes. The most helpful alternative to - devastating cuts to education and other vital services is the current surcharge on high-income personal income taxes, The surcharge is now in effect through December 31, 2011. Eliminating the surcharge will reduce state revenues this year by S1 billion. It will cost the state $5 billion next year. Not only do we support the surcharge but, according to the Sienna poll just last month, 73% of New Yorkers across the state strongly support the surcharge. Other polls corroborate public support. The surcharge will generate significant revenue and represents a fair and balanced distribution of public responsibility during these difficult economic times, ‘We must preserve public education for our children and our future. The Court of Appeals decision in CFE requires the state to provide adequate resources to assure that every public schoo! student has the opportunity for a meaningful education that prepares the student for college, work and citizenship. We urge the Assembly to support alternatives to budget cuts and make our children and their education a priority. Sincerely, Catherine Nolan 1 DISTRICT OFFICE — 81-08 Linden Strat, Régencod, Now York 1985 + 718-486-0492 «FAX: 74 {DISTRICT OFFICE — 47-02 Gueens Sauteara, Sue 2, Sunysida, Nen York 11104" 716 7O464: 72.8 S ALBANY OFFICE — com 696, Legis Oto ating. Aan Naw ie ate Sisco-ani + aX STB G847 mal nolane@ assembly sales