By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo schools will see a slight increase in state aid under the education spending bill approved by the State Legislature Wednesday.
The Legislature is restoring more than $1.1 billion dollars of the cuts to local school districts that were recommended by Governor Pataki in his proposed budget. The Democrat-controlled Assembly approved the spending bill along party lines, 107-to-41, and the Senate approved the measure 59-to-zero.
State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt says the bill restores $18.6 million to Buffalo schools, plus an additional $5 million in a special appropriation. Hoyt says that means city schools will receive $2 million more in state aid than last year.
The education budget calls for a $950-a-year increase in tuition for students attending the State University of New York. That's down from the $1,200 increase proposed by Governor Pataki. It would be the first tuition hike since 1995.
The Legislature will pay for the restored school aid by raising taxes. Legislative leaders unveiled a tax plan Wednesday that would raise the state sales tax by a quarter percent. In addition, New Yorkers earning more than $150,000 a year would see their tax rate increased to 7.5 percent.
Pataki has vowed to make all lawmakers, Democrats and Republicans, "accountable" for voting in favor of the increased spending and taxes in the Legislature's budget. He's threatening to veto the tax increases. If that happens, lawmakers say they'll attempt an override.