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Saturday, April 2, 2016
John was born in Buffalo, NY on June 15, 1948. He was the son of the late John C. Woods and Emelia (Jezioro) Woods. John grew up in Buffalo, NY, graduating from Cardinal O’Hara High School in 1967. He continued his studies at LSU Monroe, University at Buffalo and the prestigious FBI Academy. John retired from the University at Buffalo Police department after working there for 33 years. John began his career as a patrolman and retired as the Assistant Chief of Police. Together, John and Mary Louise have three children and three grandchildren. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing golf with his good friends at Oak Run Golf Club. He also enjoyed being with his three granddaughters who loved their “boppa” more than anything.
Besides his wife, Mary Louise, John leaves his daughter Kathleen (Robert) Locke of Derry NH, his son John C. Woods III of Wilson NY; and his daughter Elizabeth (fiance’ Matt Talarico) Woods of Buffalo, NY; three granddaughters Charlotte, Chloe and Lilah Locke; a sister Janet Harrison of Davis, CA; many cousins and very good friends, and of course, his dog Lucy.
Family will be available to receive friends Monday April 4th, 2016 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Prudden & Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee Street in Lockport, NY. A funeral mass will take place at 10:00 am Tuesday April 5th, 2016 at St. John the Baptist Church, 168 Chestnut Street in Lockport, NY. All are welcome to attend.
In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made at www.thefirstteewesternny.org in his name.
Online condolences at www.pruddenandkandt.com.
Kenneth Quintern of Lockport passed away March 31, 2016.
Born September 29, 1947 to the late Warren and Hilda Quintern he is also predeceased by his love Sue Nancy Kumm. Kenneth enjoyed sports, bingo, making chili, spending time with Sue Ann and playing at the OTB.
He is survived by Lori Quintern, children Erik Kumm, Casey Cammara, Kendra Cammara and his grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Monday April 4, 2016 from 2-4 & 7-9 at Ross Funeral Home Gaul Chapel, 263 East Ave Lockport, NY.
www.RossFuneralDirectors.com
ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com
The National Weather Service says showers are likely before noon today, then a slight chance of showers after 4 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42. West wind 11 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tonight: Rain and snow likely before 9pm, then snow. Low around 23. Blustery, with a west wind 6 to 11 mph becoming northwest 15 to 20 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Sunday: Snow showers likely, mainly before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. Blustery, with a west wind 14 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Sunday Night: Snow, mainly after 10pm. Low around 24. West wind 6 to 9 mph becoming east after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Monday: Snow, mainly before noon, then a chance of snow showers after noon. High near 34. Northeast wind 11 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Monday Night: A chance of flurries. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 31.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 19.
Wednesday: A chance of snow showers before 11am, then a chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Wednesday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 38. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Friday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
news@eastniagarapost.com
Tonight: Rain and snow likely before 9pm, then snow. Low around 23. Blustery, with a west wind 6 to 11 mph becoming northwest 15 to 20 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Sunday: Snow showers likely, mainly before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. Blustery, with a west wind 14 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Sunday Night: Snow, mainly after 10pm. Low around 24. West wind 6 to 9 mph becoming east after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 100%.
Monday: Snow, mainly before noon, then a chance of snow showers after noon. High near 34. Northeast wind 11 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Monday Night: A chance of flurries. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 31.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 19.
Wednesday: A chance of snow showers before 11am, then a chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Wednesday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 38. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 48. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Friday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
Friday, April 1, 2016
ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com
The Lockport City School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. The Lockport City School District joins 476 districts across the country in receiving the prestigious award in 2016.
The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. Districts that have been recognized by the NAMM Foundation are often held up as models for other educators looking to boost their own music education programs.
To qualify for the “Best Communities” designation, Lockport Music Educators answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
This award recognizes that the Lockport City School District is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the new federal education legislation, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation, signed into law in December 2015, replaces No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which was often criticized for an overemphasis on testing—while leaving behind subjects such as music. ESSA recommends music and the arts as important elements of well-rounded education for all children. The website displaying the list of schools can be found here: (link)
Anna Merritt Elementary and Emmet Belknap Intermediate have been honored with the SupportMusic Merit Award from the NAMM Foundation for their outstanding commitment to music education. Anna Merritt Elementary and Emmet Belknap Intermediate join 118 schools across the country in receiving this prestigious award in 2016.
The SupportMusic Merit Award is awarded to individual schools that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. Schools that have been recognized by the NAMM Foundation are often held up as models for other educators looking to boost their own music education programs.
To qualify for the SupportMusic Merit Award, Anna Merritt Elementary and Emmet Belknap Intermediate answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
This award recognizes that Anna Merritt Elementary and Emmet Belknap Intermediate are leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the new federal education legislation, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation, signed into law in December 2015, replaces No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which was often criticized for an overemphasis on testing —while leaving behind subjects such as music. ESSA recommends music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children.
Community music programs have been drawing increased attention because of a landmark study by Northwestern University brain scientists. These researchers found new links between students in community music programs and academic success in subjects such as reading. Beyond the Northwestern study, other reports indicate that learning to play music can boost academic and social skills, such as processing math and learning to cooperate in group settings.
A 2015 study, “Striking A Chord” supported by the NAMM Foundation, also outlines the overwhelming desire by teachers and parents for music education opportunities for all children as part of the school curriculum.
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
news@eastniagarapost.com
The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. Districts that have been recognized by the NAMM Foundation are often held up as models for other educators looking to boost their own music education programs.
To qualify for the “Best Communities” designation, Lockport Music Educators answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
This award recognizes that the Lockport City School District is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the new federal education legislation, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation, signed into law in December 2015, replaces No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which was often criticized for an overemphasis on testing—while leaving behind subjects such as music. ESSA recommends music and the arts as important elements of well-rounded education for all children. The website displaying the list of schools can be found here: (link)
Anna Merritt Elementary and Emmet Belknap Intermediate have been honored with the SupportMusic Merit Award from the NAMM Foundation for their outstanding commitment to music education. Anna Merritt Elementary and Emmet Belknap Intermediate join 118 schools across the country in receiving this prestigious award in 2016.
The SupportMusic Merit Award is awarded to individual schools that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. Schools that have been recognized by the NAMM Foundation are often held up as models for other educators looking to boost their own music education programs.
To qualify for the SupportMusic Merit Award, Anna Merritt Elementary and Emmet Belknap Intermediate answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
This award recognizes that Anna Merritt Elementary and Emmet Belknap Intermediate are leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the new federal education legislation, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation, signed into law in December 2015, replaces No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which was often criticized for an overemphasis on testing —while leaving behind subjects such as music. ESSA recommends music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children.
Community music programs have been drawing increased attention because of a landmark study by Northwestern University brain scientists. These researchers found new links between students in community music programs and academic success in subjects such as reading. Beyond the Northwestern study, other reports indicate that learning to play music can boost academic and social skills, such as processing math and learning to cooperate in group settings.
A 2015 study, “Striking A Chord” supported by the NAMM Foundation, also outlines the overwhelming desire by teachers and parents for music education opportunities for all children as part of the school curriculum.
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com
ALBANY -- Assemblywoman Jane Corwin, R-Clarence, joined members of the Assembly Minority Conference in panning the budget process which led to lawmakers voting on portions of the 2016-17 State Budget in the middle of the night.
In her remarks, made on a budget bill (A.9009-C, Revenue Article VII Budget) presented at 12:45 a.m., Corwin called out Gov. Cuomo for "trying to control the legislative process" and reminded lawmakers about "the importance of having three separate branches of government," with the press as the fourth estate.
Corwin's comments can be see on YouTube here (link).
Legislative leaders and Cuomo agreed to a bill Thursday night that calls for a $96.2 billion 2016-2017 spending plan.
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
news@eastniagarapost.com
 |
| Jane Corwin |
In her remarks, made on a budget bill (A.9009-C, Revenue Article VII Budget) presented at 12:45 a.m., Corwin called out Gov. Cuomo for "trying to control the legislative process" and reminded lawmakers about "the importance of having three separate branches of government," with the press as the fourth estate.
Corwin's comments can be see on YouTube here (link).
Legislative leaders and Cuomo agreed to a bill Thursday night that calls for a $96.2 billion 2016-2017 spending plan.
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com
The National Weather Service calls for mostly cloudy skies today with a high near 54. Breezy, with a west wind 18 to 20 mph.
Tonight: A chance of rain showers before 4am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Southwest wind 6 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Saturday: A chance of rain and snow showers before 10am, then a chance of rain showers. Cloudy through mid morning, then becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 43. West wind 14 to 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Saturday Night: Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 10pm. Low around 24. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest 13 to 18 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Sunday: A chance of snow showers, mainly before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. West wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday Night: A chance of snow showers before 10pm, then snow, mainly after 10pm. Low around 25. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday: Snow, mainly before 1pm, then a chance of snow showers after 1pm. High near 34. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday: A chance of flurries. Mostly sunny, with a high near 30.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 18.
Wednesday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 44. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Thursday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 49. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
news@eastniagarapost.com
Tonight: A chance of rain showers before 4am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. Southwest wind 6 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Saturday: A chance of rain and snow showers before 10am, then a chance of rain showers. Cloudy through mid morning, then becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 43. West wind 14 to 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Saturday Night: Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 10pm. Low around 24. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest 13 to 18 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Sunday: A chance of snow showers, mainly before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. West wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday Night: A chance of snow showers before 10pm, then snow, mainly after 10pm. Low around 25. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday: Snow, mainly before 1pm, then a chance of snow showers after 1pm. High near 34. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday: A chance of flurries. Mostly sunny, with a high near 30.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 18.
Wednesday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 44. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 36. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Thursday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 49. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com
ALBANY -- An agreement has been reached on the 2016-2017 New York State budget between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders.
The $96.2 billion budget holds the growth in state spending to two percent for the sixth consecutive year, and includes what the governor's office refers to as "a number of landmark policies that will strengthen opportunity for working and middle class families and a record $24.8 billion in education aid."
Gov. Cuomo said, “New York State has once again come together to get things done. Many have proposed the big changes we sought – minimum wage, meaningful paid family leave, a balanced budget that caps spending and cuts taxes – but almost all have failed. Today, I am proud to announce that with this agreement, we have succeeded.
Minimum wage was a key part of Cuomo's proposal.
"We believe that people who work hard should be able to earn a decent living and support a family with dignity. With a statewide $15 minimum wage and the nation’s only 12-week paid family leave program, we are going to prove that the economy can and should work for all," he said.
Senate Majority Leader John J. Flanagan said the budget "ensures state government continues to live within its means and builds on the progress we have realized in making New York more affordable for middle-class taxpayers and their families. It includes a record level of funding for our schools and complete elimination of the GEA, a top Senate Republican priority. I am pleased that we have fought for and won true parity in infrastructure funding, along with more than $1 billion in real and lasting middle-income tax cuts, property tax relief for hardworking taxpayers and seniors, and creation of a program to allow New Yorkers to care for their families. ... We have more work to do in making New York the land of opportunity for all, but today is another big step in the right direction."
Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie added, "Critically, this budget provides funding support for affordable housing, preserves access to quality health services for millions of low-income New Yorkers, and makes important investments in anti-poverty initiatives throughout the state. This is a budget that takes the necessary steps to move our communities and our state forward."
Details on some of the most significant parts of the budget are as follows:
Minimum Wage
It is estimated that more than 2.3 million people will be affected by the increases in the minimum wage.
Paid Family Leave
The budget agreement includes the longest and most comprehensive paid family leave program in the nation. When fully phased- in, employees will be eligible for 12 weeks of paid family leave when caring for an infant, a family member with a serious health condition or to relieve family pressures when someone is called to active military service. Benefits will be phased-in beginning in 2018 at 50 percent of an employee’s average weekly wage, capped to 50 percent of the statewide average weekly wage, and fully implemented in 2021 at 67 percent of their average weekly wage, capped to 67 percent of the statewide average weekly wage. This program will be funded entirely through a nominal payroll deduction on employees, who are eligible to participate after having worked for their employer for six months.
Middle Class Tax Cut
The budget lowers Personal Income Tax rates for middle class New Yorkers. With the middle class tax cuts of 2012, rates were lowered from 6.85 percent to 6.45 percent for taxpayers in the $40,000-$150,000 income bracket, and to 6.65 percent in the $150,000-$300,000 income bracket. Under these new reforms, the rate will drop even further beginning in 2018 and will continue to drop all the way to 5.5 percent when the cuts are fully phased in.
These new lower tax rates will save middle class New Yorkers nearly $6.6 billion in just the first four years, with annual savings reaching $4.2 billion by 2025. As the new rates phase in, they will be the state’s lowest middle class tax rates in more than 70 years. When the tax cuts begin, they will benefit 4.4 million filers, growing to 6 million filers when fully phased in.
Support for Schools and Education
The budget provides $24.8 billion in School Aid, the highest amount ever, and $5.3 billion more than 2011-12. While total state spending has been held to two percent annual growth and most state agency budgets have been held essentially flat, School Aid is increasing by 6.5 percent for the 2016-17 School Year and will have increased by nearly 27 percent since 2011-12. The increases of the last five years are as follows:
Community Schools
The budget includes $175 million in funding to transform failing schools and other high needs schools into community schools.
Charters
The Budget increases support for charter schools statewide by an estimated $430 per pupil. The budget makes permanent the calculation of rental aid for New York City charter schools.
Infrastructure Spending
The budget contains the largest state transportation plan ever approved, with over $55 billion of transportation investments statewide, including $27.14 billion for State Department of Transportation and Thruway programs and $27.98 billion for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority programs. The plan aligns capital programming for DOT and MTA over a 5-year period (SFY 2016-20) and includes additional commitments for priority projects and programs that extend over a sixth year.
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
news@eastniagarapost.com
 |
| Andrew Cuomo |
The $96.2 billion budget holds the growth in state spending to two percent for the sixth consecutive year, and includes what the governor's office refers to as "a number of landmark policies that will strengthen opportunity for working and middle class families and a record $24.8 billion in education aid."
Gov. Cuomo said, “New York State has once again come together to get things done. Many have proposed the big changes we sought – minimum wage, meaningful paid family leave, a balanced budget that caps spending and cuts taxes – but almost all have failed. Today, I am proud to announce that with this agreement, we have succeeded.
Minimum wage was a key part of Cuomo's proposal.
"We believe that people who work hard should be able to earn a decent living and support a family with dignity. With a statewide $15 minimum wage and the nation’s only 12-week paid family leave program, we are going to prove that the economy can and should work for all," he said.
Senate Majority Leader John J. Flanagan said the budget "ensures state government continues to live within its means and builds on the progress we have realized in making New York more affordable for middle-class taxpayers and their families. It includes a record level of funding for our schools and complete elimination of the GEA, a top Senate Republican priority. I am pleased that we have fought for and won true parity in infrastructure funding, along with more than $1 billion in real and lasting middle-income tax cuts, property tax relief for hardworking taxpayers and seniors, and creation of a program to allow New Yorkers to care for their families. ... We have more work to do in making New York the land of opportunity for all, but today is another big step in the right direction."
Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie added, "Critically, this budget provides funding support for affordable housing, preserves access to quality health services for millions of low-income New Yorkers, and makes important investments in anti-poverty initiatives throughout the state. This is a budget that takes the necessary steps to move our communities and our state forward."
Details on some of the most significant parts of the budget are as follows:
Minimum Wage
- For workers in New York City employed by large businesses (those with at least 11 employees), the minimum wage would rise to $11 at the end of 2016, then another $2 each year after, reaching $15 on 12/31/2018.
- For workers in New York City employed by small businesses (those with 10 employees or fewer), the minimum wage would rise to $10.50 by the end of 2016, then another $1.50 each year after, reaching $15 on 12/31/2019.
- For workers in Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties, the minimum wage would increase to $10 at the end of 2016, then $1 each year after, reaching $15 on 12/31/2021.
- For workers in the rest of the state, the minimum wage would increase to $9.70 at the end of 2016, then another .70 each year after until reaching $12.50 on 12/31/2020 – after which will continue to increase to $15 on an indexed schedule to be set by the Director of the Division of Budget in consultation with the Department of Labor.
It is estimated that more than 2.3 million people will be affected by the increases in the minimum wage.
Paid Family Leave
The budget agreement includes the longest and most comprehensive paid family leave program in the nation. When fully phased- in, employees will be eligible for 12 weeks of paid family leave when caring for an infant, a family member with a serious health condition or to relieve family pressures when someone is called to active military service. Benefits will be phased-in beginning in 2018 at 50 percent of an employee’s average weekly wage, capped to 50 percent of the statewide average weekly wage, and fully implemented in 2021 at 67 percent of their average weekly wage, capped to 67 percent of the statewide average weekly wage. This program will be funded entirely through a nominal payroll deduction on employees, who are eligible to participate after having worked for their employer for six months.
Middle Class Tax Cut
The budget lowers Personal Income Tax rates for middle class New Yorkers. With the middle class tax cuts of 2012, rates were lowered from 6.85 percent to 6.45 percent for taxpayers in the $40,000-$150,000 income bracket, and to 6.65 percent in the $150,000-$300,000 income bracket. Under these new reforms, the rate will drop even further beginning in 2018 and will continue to drop all the way to 5.5 percent when the cuts are fully phased in.
These new lower tax rates will save middle class New Yorkers nearly $6.6 billion in just the first four years, with annual savings reaching $4.2 billion by 2025. As the new rates phase in, they will be the state’s lowest middle class tax rates in more than 70 years. When the tax cuts begin, they will benefit 4.4 million filers, growing to 6 million filers when fully phased in.
Support for Schools and Education
The budget provides $24.8 billion in School Aid, the highest amount ever, and $5.3 billion more than 2011-12. While total state spending has been held to two percent annual growth and most state agency budgets have been held essentially flat, School Aid is increasing by 6.5 percent for the 2016-17 School Year and will have increased by nearly 27 percent since 2011-12. The increases of the last five years are as follows:
- 2011-12 School Aid: $19.64 billion
- 2012-13 School Aid: $20.35 billion ($805 million increase, 4.1 percent)
- 2013-14 School Aid: $21.23 billion ($992 million increase, 4.9 percent)
- 2014-15 School Aid: $22.24 billion ($1.13 billion increase, 5.3 percent)
- 2015-16 School Aid: $23.5 billion ($1.35 billion increase, 6.1 percent)
- 2016-17 School Aid: $24.8 billion ($1.5 billion increase, 6.5 percent)
Community Schools
The budget includes $175 million in funding to transform failing schools and other high needs schools into community schools.
Charters
The Budget increases support for charter schools statewide by an estimated $430 per pupil. The budget makes permanent the calculation of rental aid for New York City charter schools.
Infrastructure Spending
The budget contains the largest state transportation plan ever approved, with over $55 billion of transportation investments statewide, including $27.14 billion for State Department of Transportation and Thruway programs and $27.98 billion for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority programs. The plan aligns capital programming for DOT and MTA over a 5-year period (SFY 2016-20) and includes additional commitments for priority projects and programs that extend over a sixth year.
Check out East Niagara Post videos on YouTube, Vine and Periscope.
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