STATEMENT BY SENATE MAJORITY LEADER JOSEPH L. BRUNO

Reaction to the 2001-02 Executive Budget Proposal

Tuesday, January 16, 2001

Governor Pataki's Executive Budget proposal is a good starting point for discussions that I hope will conclude with the timely passage of a new budget that meets the needs of all New Yorkers, particularly in the area of education. Education and support for our schools and our children has consistently been our top priority and with this budget will be our primary focus.

The Governor's plan to collapse 11 aid formulas into one is a step in the right direction because it will give local school districts greater flexibility. However, negotiating the size and distribution of a school aid increase will be challenging and contentious, especially in light of last week's court decision.

That decision, by a trial court judge, must be appealed and we will urge that the Governor file an appeal. Ultimately, any decision of this importance and magnitude must be decided by the state's highest court.

In addition, we will seek to ensure that New York City and, indeed, other upstate cities, hold up their end by providing strong support to urban city schools.

Over the past few weeks the Senate Majority has unveiled its budget priorities -- additional tax cuts to create jobs and to reduce energy costs; the Gen*NY*sis economic development program to encourage the growth of biotechnology research and development; funding critical transportation projects throughout the state and ensuring that we maintain the accessibility and affordability of health care.

We can achieve all this and do so by the April 1st deadline. No one has done more to try to reform the state's budget process than the Senate Majority. The Senate's budget reform plan will accomplish this and I hope the Assembly will join us to reform a broken system and end the string of late budgets.

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