Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell
(D-Theresa) announced that she helped pass a state budget that supports vital
programs for North Country families and does not raise taxes. The budget provides
increased funding for childcare, tuition assistance for college students, and
reduces taxes on energy bills while holding state spending under 2%.
“For the fourth year in a row, we’ve
passed a budget that holds the line on taxes and spending while making
investments in our children at all stages of their lives,” Assemblywoman
Russell said.
Making child care
affordable
The 2014-15 state budget provides funding to
increase access to quality, affordable child care. The provisions include:
· $34 million for
more than 4,500 additional subsidized child care slots;
· disregarding the
earned income of teenagers under 18 in the household for the purpose of
determining a family’s child care subsidy eligibility;
· $846,000
restored to SUNY child care centers, with an overall funding of $1.8 million;
and
· $6 million to
SUNY Potsdam for improvements to its childcare center.
“In these tough economic times, the financial
burden of child care makes it even harder for families to make ends meet, often
forcing them to leave the workforce. Affordable childcare is an absolute
necessity because every parent deserves the freedom to work if that is what is
right for their family,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “Enhancing childcare subsidies helps to make
quality, affordable childcare a reality for all working families and provides a
solid foundation for our local childcare providers to effectively run their
businesses. “
Restoring School
Aid
The state budget increases school aid by
$1.1 billion, or 5.4 percent, which is $551 million over the executive budget
proposal.
Included with this increase is $251
million in additional funding for Foundation Aid and $602 million in
restorations to the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA). It also restores an
additional $5 million in support for libraries.
Investing in
Higher Education
The 2014-15 state budget funds a $165 million
increase to the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) award to $5,165 per Full Time
Equivalent student (FTE) and increases support by $75 per FTE to $2,497 for
SUNY Community Colleges.
“Community colleges are essential
because they provide an affordable option for many working families”
Assemblywoman Russell said. “Increasing critical base aid holds down tuition
costs for families and reduces the financial burden on counties.”
Assemblywoman Russell noted that she
was able to secure state matching funds of over $6 million for Jefferson
Community College’s Collaborative Learning Center. The Jefferson County Legislature
recently approved the county share of funding for the project, clearing the way
for the project to proceed following allocation of state funds.
“The Collaborative Learning Center
will be a great asset to our area and help attract more students to the campus
and generate economic activity,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “Investing in
educational infrastructure ensures a bright future for our local community
colleges and students.”
We are also encouraging more young
people to pursue careers in farming by establishing the Farmers Loan
Forgiveness program, added Russell. The program will provide $10,000 per year
for up to five years to go toward repayment of student loans for degrees
obtained at a New York State university.
“Agriculture is a critical piece of the
North Country economy and a part of our heritage, but fewer young people are
choosing to pursue farming as a career,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “The North
Country needs more young people to continue our agricultural tradition and this
program provides the opportunity to do so without the pressure of repaying
student loans that would otherwise push them toward other careers.”
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