CONTACT OUR LEGISLATORS

---

   It is up to us! The time for action is now!

***Read Dr. Scricca's Letter and then TAKE ACTION!***

CALL THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
1-518-474-8390 (Albany)

Contact your Legislators

*************

It’s Up to All of Us
As Parents and Taxpayers Living on Long Island
to Get our Fair Share of State Education Aid in 2008-2009

As everyone, who lives on Long Island is aware, high property taxes are a problem that is growing to epic proportions.

Did you know…
- Today, Long Island educates 17% of the children in the state and we receive less than 13% of the state education aid.
- On Long Island, on average, 25% of the school budget is funded with state aid yet Riverhead Central School District receives only 19%.
- Across the rest of the state (outside of New York City) it’s approximately 45%.
- Long Islanders use about 20% more of their gross household incomes to pay their residential school property taxes than New Yorkers in general.
- As Long Island’s regionally adjusted per pupil expenditures are approximately 6.6% less than those for New York State, this greater than average effort is required due to Long Island’s share of state aid.

The good news is that all Long Islanders including school districts and state represen-tatives are united in an effort to find a solution.

LI State Senators and Assembly Members...
- Thanks to the heroic efforts of all of our Long Island state senators and assembly members an unbearable burden was not placed on the backs of Long Island taxpayers in 2007-08. Contact them, visit their offices, thank them, and encourage them to do the same for Long Island this year!
- Long Island school districts received an increase of over $220 million in the 2007-2008 enacted state budget due to their efforts. This increase was more than double the amount originally proposed by Governor Spitzer.
- We also would like to thank our local newspaper, The Times Review, for their efforts in informing our residents of our state aid plight.

Our Work is NOT Over...
- The governor will be unveiling his proposed budget with state aid for the 2008-2009 school year on January 22nd.
- We need all Long Islanders regardless of which school district they live in to remind the governor that we need our fair share of state aid. School districts across Long Island will be calling the governor.
- We ask that you call Governor Spitzer at 518-474-8300 and remind him that Long Island needs its fair share of state aid. If you would like, you can also email your message to Governor Spitzer at www.state.ny.us/governor.

More Information--
Pamphlet from Suffolk County School Superintendents Association (pdf)

Summary--
On Long Island…
- Schools are supported by 2 primary sources of revenue -- property taxes and state aid.
* 25% of the school budget is funded with state aid, while the rest of the state (outside than NYC) is ~ 45%.
* 70% of the school budget is funded with property taxes, while the rest of the state (outside of NYC) is ~ 50%.
- Over 2/3 of Suffolk County school districts receive < 30% of revenue through state aid.
- $1 of state aid in upstate New York is only worth sixty-six cents here!
In November 2007 – the NYS Board of Regents proposed…
- Almost a $2 billion increase in total state aid in 2008-2009, an increase of almost 10%.
- Long Islanders would be shortchanged and experience increases in school property taxes if the plan were adopted.
- 3 specific areas that would harm Long Island’s educational system and overburden homeowners are:

* Eliminating the high tax aid formula
* Reducing the minimum increase in base state aid
* Removing the $17M in supplementary excess cost aid

This month
-Governor Spitzer will present his executive budget for the 2008-2009

Once again we will have to fight to protect Long Island’s fair share of state aid to education.

It’s time now…
- For us to send the message to Governor Spitzer, “Long Island deserves its fair share of state education aid!”

What should you say? Sample Phone Conversation:

"I am (your name) from the Riverhead Central School District. I am asking for Long Island's fair share of state aid and for the regional cost factor."

Ask Governor Spitzer to address the following in his budget proposal:

Ensure the state aid is in proportion to enrollment figures. Long Island educates 17% of all students in the state, but only receives 13% of the state aid.

Fully fund any mandates imposed on school districts.

Fund special education independent from the basic formula. (Foundation Aid)

Continue the high tax aid!

Give your zip code to the phone receptionist!

Continue to let your voice be heard in Albany - here’s the contact information you need…
Governor Eliot Spitzer
The State Capitol, Executive Chamber
Albany, NY 12224
518-474-8390
Fax: 518-474-1513
http://www.ny.gov/governor/
This is the direct link to e-mail the Governor. http://161.11.121.121/govemail

The statistics provided are from August 2006 report of the “Innovate Long Island” Subcommittee on K-12 Costs and Outcomes and from the 2nd Annual SCSSA Workshop Advocating for Suffolk County Schools on 1-5-08.