Assemblywoman Jenne says assembly education budget plan will benefit local schools, colleges

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, (D-Theresa), announced the state Assembly's $170.2 billion spending plan released Monday night increases state education funding by $1.5 billion over last year.

She noted this would allow schools in the North Country to maintain existing programs.

"Our budget proposal makes a significant and necessary i increase in funding for our schools and invests in SUNY colleges and private universities," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"We have also made an investment in the expansion of youth mental health services. This will help local school districts provide the programs and services our children need to succeed and be safe at school," she noted.

Assemblywoman Jenne said the additional funding would allow local school districts to balance their budgets while remaining within the tax cap.

"We have also proposed several changes to the governor's proposed spending plan that would have interfered with local control of our schools and their ability to work together through BOCES," she said.

The spending plan allocates $27.1 billion in school aid, which is an increase of $1.5 billion or 5.6 percent over the 2017-18 School Year (SY).

The Assembly proposes increasing Foundation Aid to $18.4 billion for SY 2018-19, an increase of $1.2 billion.

"This allocation helps fund the state's obligation for our neediest schools pursuant to the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, bringing all schools to at least 50 percent of their total Foundation Aid that is due to them," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

The Assembly proposal also includes a multi-year phase-in of Foundation Aid, ensuring all school districts will receive their full Foundation Aid allotment by SY 2021-22.

Assemblywoman Jenne said a number of school districts in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties are currently underfunded in the Foundation Aid category. She pointed out, for example, that Norwood-Norfolk School Superintendent Jamie Cruikshank has told her his district is underfunded by $2 million in the Foundation Aid formula.

The Assembly budget also makes critical investments in community schools, which offer a holistic approach to educating students by acting as community hubs and offering wraparound services. It also funds the Supportive Schools Grant Program, which helps districts improve school climate, safety, and implements the Dignity for All Students Act. Other significant investments include funding for pre-kindergarten and student mental health services.

"I have met with Massena Central School Superintendent Patrick Brady and Community School Site Coordinator Kristin Colarusso-Martin and have seen the good work they are doing in the Massena community, the partnerships they have reached with community agencies and organizations, to better serve all the needs of their students. It's a great start, and I know other schools in the region are working to grow their community schools programs," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

Assemblywoman Jenne said the Assembly's budget plan provides critical funding streams to the SUNY colleges and universities and continues to focus on making college affordable for North Country students.

'We have pushed back against major changes proposed for how the state supports colleges and our neediest students," she stressed.

Assemblywoman Jenne said the she had repeatedly heard from college officials at SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Canton and Jefferson Community College about the need for capital dollars to make necessary improvements to aging infrastructure as well as for construction of buildings for new programs.

The Assembly's budget proposal continues the progress of the Higher Education Road to Success Initiative by making a $16 billion investment to promote college affordability in New York State.

It includes a 20 percent increase over 2017-18 levels for opportunity programs for a total investment of $23.8 million, and increases base aid at SUNY and CUNY to $2,747/Full Time Equivalent (FTE).

The proposal restores $200 million in capital support to SUNY for critical maintenance and $100 million each to CUNY and SUNY for expansion projects. 

"It is critically important to provide our SUNY colleges and universities with the funding they need to serve increasing numbers of students that are utilizing our state's college affordability initiatives," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

The Assembly plan also restores $24.6 million to fully fund Bundy Aid. St. Lawrence University currently receives approximately $175,000 in Bundy Aid, and Clarkson is the recipient of $320,000.

"This funding is critical to independent colleges and universities in the state, including Clarkson and St. Lawrence University," the assemblywoman said. "The elimination of Bundy Aid would likely make it more expensive for our students to attend independent colleges and universities.

IN THE PHOTO:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne speaks to student government leaders Friday during a student leadership event Friday at Jefferson-Lewis BOCES.

Assemblywoman Jenne: Legislation will help protect students from school violence

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, announced that she helped pass common sense legislation aimed at reducing violence at schools.

"This package of bills is simply about public safety and keeping guns out of the hands of those that shouldn't have them by providing time for background checks, a legal way to flag someone for further scrutiny if they pose a safety risk and, of course, addressing bump stocks," she said.

She said she knows schools in the North Country have implemented a number of security improvements in recent years and bolstered their partnerships with law enforcement agencies.

"But I am happy to explore additional steps we need to take to provide our schools with the resources they need to address security issues, like personnel, additional technology and building improvements," the assemblywoman noted.

"I look forward to working with our partners in state and federal government on multi-faceted pieces of legislation that can help make our schools safer," she said.

"I know schools that have had school resource officers in their buildings have found it to be beneficial, and we know there is a need to direct more funding to expand the availability of mental health services for our students. It is critical we put as much focus on providing the additional mental health services necessary to meet the needs of our students as our other measures," Assemblywoman Jenne stressed.

She said the state needs to back up that support for school safety by putting allocation in the budget to fund those programs and capital improvements.

"These new or expanded programs have to be funded with the real dollars needed to address serious concern, not just feel good legislation with an uncertain or optional revenue stream," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

The package of legislation Assemblywoman Jenne helped pass Tuesday includes a bill creating an “extreme risk protection order,” which allows a law enforcement official or family member to request that a person deemed dangerous be prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm for up to one year, at a judge’s discretion (A.8976-B).

Five other states currently have similar “red flag laws” and this will go a long way in thwarting heartbreaking situations before it’s too late, Jenne noted.

The Assembly also passed legislation to ban bump stocks and similar devices that, when added to guns, increase their capacity (A.9958). A bump stock was used by the shooter in Las Vegas last October. While New York State law already prohibits the attachment of bump stocks to rifles, the sale and possession of the devices have remained legal.

Assemblywoman Jenne also helped pass legislation that extends the length of time before a gun is delivered to a purchaser whose background check has not been completed, to allow for a more thorough investigation (A.2406).

Another measure requires out-of-state citizens who also have homes in New York to waive the confidentiality of their home state mental illness records when purchasing firearms in New York (A.9978).

"These are common sense pieces of legislation that will have no impact on the vast majority of gun owners in the North Country and around the state," Assemblywoman Jenne said. "These bills will help keep guns out of the hands of troubled individuals so we can protect our kids’ lives and innocence.

“We know there’s no simple answer to prevent gun violence. That’s why we have to look at all sides of the issue to make sure we’re closing up the loopholes that let people who shouldn’t have guns manage to get them and take other steps that can help protect our students when they are at school," Assemblywoman Jenne stressed.

Assemblywoman Jenne: Thousand Islands Region needs state to help promote region as it recovers from last year's flooding

The commissioner of the state's Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation assured Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne that all necessary repairs have been made to state parks on the St. Lawrence River impacted by flooding last spring and summer.

Commissioner Rose Harvey, speaking at a legislative budget hearing in Albany last week, said the work had been completed.

Assemblywoman Jenne noted one of the major issues that had faced St. Lawrence River communities last summer was many docks were underwater.

"I expect water levels will be higher than we considered normal forever," she asked, questioning the commissioner about whether state parks crews had taken that into consideration when they were making improvements and repairs over the last several months.

"With all of our capital improvements, we are trying to look at rising waters, climate change and whatever and think about adjusting for the future," Commissioner Harvey responded.

She had previously testified her agency had spent approximately $2 million since last year's flooding to make repairs to state parks following a question about flooding on Lake Ontario.

The commissioner said most of the funding has been spent at the Fort Niagara and Sandy Island state parks along Lake Ontario with smaller amounts spent on repairs to docks and boat launches throughout the system in the areas impacted by flooding.

She pointed out state parks are often the first line of defense when there is flooding on the lakes and rivers in the state.

"We took most of the brunt. We spent that $2 million to fix up and restore, and we will invest more. They are back in shape. We opened most of our parks last summer, and we're ready to open this summer," the commissioner added.

Commissioner Harvey said much of that money had been spent at two parks hit hard by last year's flooding.

Assemblywoman Jenne also urged the state to use tourism dollars to support the Thousand Islands Region as it works to recover from lost revenues related to the flooding.

"It would be cool if the Thousand Islands Region could get a shout out to make sure everybody knows we are open for business," she said.

"We often get the short end of the advertising dollars. While we don't have the state's population base, we certainly do host the state during the summer months. It would be good for everyone to know the Thousand Islands Region is open for business," Assemblywoman Jenne added.

Commissioner Harvey pledged to look into the issue.

"We tap mightily in to I Love New York. We should talk to them. That's a good idea," the parks commissioner said.

Assemblywoman Jenne said the state should also look at investing in the trail system on the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence in the North Country.

The governor had announced plans for the Empire State Trail last year as part of an effort aimed at enhancing outdoor recreation, community vitality and tourism development.

The plan calls for a continuous 750-mile route spanning the state from New York City through the Adirondack to Canada and Buffalo to Albany, creating the longest multi-use state trail in the nation by 2020.

Commissioner Harvey had said a trail system network on Long Island would be included in a second phase of the Empire State Trail plan.

Assemblywoman Jenne has long noted cyclists from the provinces of Quebec and Ontario have expressed an interest in a formal trail system allowing them to travel both sides of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.

"My area hosts a lot of cyclists. It would be great if we were included in a phase II, certainly if not in phase II than in phase III, investments in the trail system. Our chambers of commerce in our area try to market our existing trail system, but that work would be enhanced if we could be included in the state's trail system," Assemblywoman Jenne stressed.

IN THE PHOTO:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie checked out the flood damage in July at the Boldt Yacht House. 

Assemblywoman Jenne: State needs to be more aggressive in supporting struggling dairy farmers

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, (D-Theresa), says the challenging environment facing the dairy industry in the North Country and New York State means the time is right to take bold action to protect the future of dairy farming.

"The price they are getting for their milk is just crushing for them," Assemblywoman Jenne said during a discussion with New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball at a budget hearing this week in Albany.

She pointed out the low milk prices that have plagued the dairy industry for the past four years is a reflection of supply and demand around the world.

"As we are looking at the options that are on the table for supporting our dairy industry, I would remind you of my thoughts on offering a premium payment for meeting very high-quality measures," Assemblywoman Jenne added.

"When we talk about exports being down, I think one component of that is the United States has failed to adapt those higher quality measures like the European Union has," she said.

"I think offering the premium payment of up to $3 per hundredweight would help to stabilize a dairy industry on the brink. The agriculture sector is the basis of much of the economy of Upstate New York. It is time to think more boldly," Assemblywoman Jenne stressed.

She has called on the state to provide a financial incentive program to reduce the somatic cell count in fluid milk from the federally mandated 750,000/ml to 400,000/ml -–the same level used in the European Union and the highest global standard.

"New York's exports of dairy products are down. In order to compete and get our dairy products to overseas markets, we have to meet or exceed the global industry standard. Most farmers already meet this standard, but statewide adoption of this standard could help address our oversupply and resulting low payments to farmers," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

High somatic cell counts are associated with bacterial infections in cows that result in lower yields and low-quality milk. This program would operate over three years and give farmers a competitive leg up on the global dairy industry.

Assemblywoman Jenne has suggested the state Department of Agriculture and Markets should develop premium payments for farmers reaching annual targets toward the goal of reducing the statewide somatic cell count.

She has proposed establishing a quality premium that would be paid to farmers by the state when the price farmers are receiving drops more than 9 percent below the USDA's calculated average monthly cost of production.

The premium would be capped at up to $3 per hundredweight of milk and would only be paid for the five-year monthly average of milk produced by the farm.

"It's not going to make a farmer rich, but it would give them a fighting chance to get their finances in order and make strategic decisions instead of ones that will hurt them in the long run," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

She envisions the premium would be of significant assistance to dairy farmers when the price of fluid milk drops below $18 per hundredweight.

Assemblywoman Jenne also feels farmers should have the option to seek a small grant, partially to pay for professional services and partially for revamping farm operations to provide long-term financial viability.

"There is a lot of money being proposed in the Regional Economic Development Council process, but that is more for individual projects and to access existing grant programs," she said.

"No grant program exists to address these needs, and the solution doesn't fit within the current council process. We need to designate up to $100 million toward the largest sector of the state's economy, agriculture. If our farms are failing financially, so are the majority of the other local businesses in upstate communities because they aren't getting paid," the assemblywoman added.

Assemblywoman Jenne said Commissioner Ball's testimony about the challenges facing the dairy industry due to a long period of low milk prices underscores the need to develop a plan to assist struggling dairy farmers in the state.

"Our farms in the North Country have been a vibrant source of economic activity and innovation. Today, many farmers, especially those in the dairy industry, are facing low commodity prices that threaten the future of too many dairy farmers," Assemblywoman Jenne said after the hearing.

She said the success of the farm-to-school pilot program in the North Country has shown the role government can play in assisting farmers in distress.

"The pilot program has made strides in improving the financial stability of growers and livestock farmers in the region. That effort should continue with Governor Cuomo including funding in the executive budget to roll out a statewide farm-to-school program," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

She said it is now time to turn proper attention to the plight of the state's dairy farmers.

"I have been seeking support for a state level program to provide assistance to dairy farmers in New York for over a year," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"The typical response I have received is that we are in a normal down cycle and things will get better. Well, things have not gotten better and the duration and severity of the recent down cycles require the state to stabilize this major economic sector," she stressed.

The milk price was $17.20 per hundredweight in December 2017.

Milk prices had a five-year peak of $25.70 per hundredweight in September 2014 and hit a low of $14.50 per hundred weight in May 2016. The per hundred weight climbed above $18 for just five months in 2016 and 2017.

Commissioner Ball had acknowledged the challenges facing the dairy industry during his testimony before state lawmakers at this week's budget hearing.

"Our dairy industry is really in a very precarious state today. Typically in dairy we have seen a three-year cycle of ups and downs ... We've had a prolonged rather than a stab I'd say a long scrape in the dairy industry over the past three years," he said.

The agriculture commissioner said farmers had become accustomed to the cycle and had developed strategies to work around those cycles of low milk prices.

"Originally predictions for this year looked a little better. But just in the past couple of months it is looking like it is going to be more of the same. It is very challenging," he admitted.

"This challenge isn't so much something we are doing wrong in New York State. This is not just a New York problem, not just a Northeast problem, not just a United States problem. It's a global challenges as we see exports drop," Commissioner Ball added.

He said a review of milk prices over the past three decades at the recent Agriculture and Food Business Outlook Conference at Cornell University showed whenever exports drop there is a corresponding decline in milk prices.

"Over the past four years, we have seen a 3 percent drop in exports," he noted.

Commissioner Ball said the drop in milk prices was a reflection of several different factors ranging from the value of the dollar compared to other currencies around the world;, milk production in Australia, New Zealand and the European Union and the market for milk purchases from China.

He said discussions about renegotiating NAFTA also pose another major challenge since a significant percent of dairy exports currently go to Mexico.

The commissioner said he continues to meet with stakeholders to review steps that can be taken to address the challenges facing the state's dairy industry.

"I am confident we will be okay in the long term. We still produce the best milk in the country. The North Country, in particular, is famous for the quality of its cheeses and the quality and quantity of the milk we produce," he said to a panel that included Assemblywoman Jenne, Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R-Black River) and State Sen. Patty Ritchie (R-Heuvelton).

Assemblywoman Jenne supports legislation increasing transparency of online political ads

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, announced she supported the Democracy Protection Act (A.9930) to hold paid online and digital campaign advertisements to the same disclosure and attribution standards as other political communications.

“When a political ad is posted online, voters deserve to know who paid for it. Anonymous communications and misinformation threaten the integrity of our elections,” Assemblywoman Jenne said.

“This common-sense legislation will go a long way in ensuring that unscrupulous organizations and individuals who pay for dishonest digital ads are held accountable,” she added.

The Democracy Protection Act requires internet and digital political advertisements to include a “paid for by” statement with the name of the political committee financing the ad.

Additionally, the legislation requires online platforms to maintain a complete record of all paid political communications, including the target audience, number of views generated by the ad and the name, address and phone number of the person purchasing the ad, and make the information available online.

The bill also prohibits foreign nationals or government agents from registering as an independent expenditure committee for the purpose of paying for political communications in New York.

The measure, which passed the state Assembly on Wednesday, builds on Assemblywoman Jenne’s continued efforts to increase transparency and keep dark money out of New York elections.

She also strongly supports closing the LLC loophole to prevent special interests from having undue influence (A.9758-A).