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School budget 'reforms' turned back April 13, 2006 Educators, unionists and school board members statewide can breathe a collective sigh of relief as two potentially dangerous school budget reforms were nixed in the Legislative budget. Gov. Pataki had proposed limiting school budgets to a single vote, eliminating the re-vote option when a budget failed to pass on the first try. Another "reform" would have rewarded homeowners with a $400 rebate check in school districts that voluntarily adhered to the contingency budget cap. Both proposals were rejected by lawmakers. Legislators instead decided to increase the STAR property tax relief program by 30 percent. The savings would be returned to property taxpayers via rebate checks ranging from $300 to $800. Taxpayers should receive rebates toward the end of October. School districts across the state will put their budgets up to vote Tuesday, May 16. This year will mark the first time a statewide school budget re-vote day will be held. Gov. Pataki signed a law last year designating the third Tuesday of June for school budget re-votes. Budgets that fail twice will be subject to the state contingency cap. |
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