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Budget battle begins on higher
ground January 28, 2004 Budget negotiations will have a better starting point this year, after the governor unveiled a budget plan that actually increases education aid and expands video gambling to create a new fund dedicated to educating the neediest children. "The governor's proposed education budget is an impressive start to what will still be a very challenging state budget process," said New York State United Teachers President Tom Hobart. "There are many positive signs," said NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan Lubin. "The overall increase in state aid and a first down payment on the Campaign for Fiscal Equity case put us miles ahead of last year. And, perhaps more importantly, the governor has planned for future funding to help implement the state's response to the CFE decision." While last year Gov. George Pataki proposed cutting school aid by $1.24 billion, this year he is calling for a 1 percent increase, or about $145 million, bringing total school aid to $14.6 billion. (This is far short of the $650 million needed merely to sustain existing programs with cost-of-living and contractual obligations.) Pataki also proposed funding some programs he's tried to cut in previous years, such as universal pre-K and reducing class size. For higher education, both the state and city university systems would receive slight increases, and no tuition hike is slated. New funding source "What a difference a year - and a court decision - make," said Randi Weingarten, president of the United Federation of Teachers in New York City. "Although the state still faces revenue problems, this proposal signals that the education of our kids must be a priority." To comply with a court order requiring a "sound, basic education" for New York City and other high-need students, Pataki proposed setting aside $325 million (from the expansion of gambling) for a "sound, basic education account." He said the dedicated fund could grow to $2 billion over the next five years. "While the State Commission on Education Reform will not be issuing its final report until March, the significance of the court's decision makes it imperative that we begin to set aside resources immediately," Pataki said. While there are many bright spots in what many feared would be a dismal budget, it's time for union activists to roll up their sleeves, Lubin noted. Aside from fighting BOCES cuts, the union will conduct a full court press to restore community college funding. "A 5 percent reduction, $115 per student, would be devastating - the impact would be about $2 million in state aid just for Suffolk Community College," said Ellen Schuler Mauk, president of Faculty Association of Suffolk CC. Community colleges would also be hit by other cuts proposed for the Educational Opportunity Program, Liberty Partnerships and Science Technology Entry Program. As in previous years, the union will need to advocate full funding of teacher centers (which would be cut $20 million); the Teacher-Mentor Intern Program (cut by $2.67 million); and Teacher Support Aid (cut by $45 million), which boosts salaries for inner-city teachers. For all three union-backed programs, the governor proposed one-third of current level funding. He also advanced a number of "reform" measures, such as combining special education aid into a "flex aid" category; setting a cap on school district budget increases; and providing schools with an exemption from the Wicks Law, which requires competitive bidding for construction projects. For higher ed, the governor proposed slight increases for SUNY and CUNY four-year campuses, as well as a $3 billion multiyear capital program. While NYSUT acknowledges that this is a slight improvement for higher ed, it does not change the fact that SUNY and CUNY have lost hundreds of millions of dollars in state operating aid since 1990. "It's not as bad as previous years, but it's really a standpat budget," said William Scheuerman, president of United University Professions at SUNY. "When you factor in inflation, the proposed minimal increase is really a cut." UUP will also oppose proposed cuts to the New York State Theatre Institute and privatizing SUNY's teaching hospitals. Lubin noted NYSUT cannot support the governor's proposal that would open the door for public financing of private college capital projects until SUNY's and CUNY's needs are fully met. Union analysts were still looking for more details on the governor's health care plan, which vaguely called for Medicaid reimbursement reform. Like last year, the union will join the fight to beat back a proposed "sick tax" on hospitals - an expense that could lead to more short-staffing, mandatory overtime and work overload. The union will also oppose the governor's plan to eliminate Medicaid coverage for psychological services. What's ahead The governor's budget plan is just the beginning, Lubin stressed, in a long process for a state budget that is supposed to be enacted by April 1. Union lobby days will begin in February, with higher ed activists visiting Albany legislators' offices Feb. 23-24 and BOCES supporters coming March 30. On March 8-9, unionists from around the state will head to the Capitol for NYSUT's Committee of 100. "The Assembly and Senate have, for years, been champions of public education and the programs children need to succeed," Lubin said. "We're again counting on the Senate and Assembly to build upon this proposal, and to propel public education forward - for every child in every single classroom." - Sylvia Saunders |
FOR MORE INFORMATION NYSUT statement in response to Executive Budget address
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