Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Ways and Means Committee Chair Herman D. Farrell, Jr. today announced the passage of legislation agreed to with the Senate that will finalize the remaining areas of Education, Labor and Family Assistance. While accepting most of the reductions proposed by the Executive, the Assembly approved restorations to education and higher education, as well as a complete restoration of the Executive's proposed cut to homeless shelters.

"We could not, in good conscience, accept all of the cuts proposed by the Executive and watch our strong public school system fall by the wayside," said Silver (D-Manhattan). "Preparing young New Yorkers for entrance into the workforce will ensure the steady revitalization of our economy. Our restoration of cuts to the Tuition Assistance Program and community colleges further emphasizes the Assembly Majority's continued commitment to education."

"It's hard to imagine a child receiving a solid education without the inclusion of art and music, but that's what many schools would be forced to cut - along with many other vital areas - if the budget included the cuts proposed by the Executive," said Farrell (D-Manhattan). The Assembly's restoration to school aid is indicative of our commitment to our children and future generations. Additionally, the Assembly rejected a devastating cut to adult homeless shelters - having a roof over your head is a necessity, not a luxury, and we need to protect our neediest New Yorkers."

The legislation passed today keeps government running and includes education, higher education and human services spending of $57.9 billion, in addition to $62 billion that has already been approved through budget legislation in these areas.

In order to protect those New Yorkers with little or no income, the Assembly approved a full restoration ($92 million) in funding for adult homeless shelters. Additionally, the legislation passed today includes:

• $967 million to support the Child Care and Development Block Grant, which assists low-income families, families receiving temporary public assistance and those transitioning from public assistance in obtaining child care so they can work or attend training/education; and
• $41.4 million to fully implement the Bridges to Health Medicaid Waiver Program, which provides services to children in foster care who have significant mental health, developmental disabilities or health care needs to help them live in a home or community-based setting. The waiver allows Medicaid to pay for some services not normally provided through Medicaid.

Education
Recognizing the devastating effect that deep cuts to education would have, the Assembly restored $600 million in education cuts. This will help provide property tax relief and ensure that schools can avoid cuts to vital programs and layoffs.

Higher Education
The legislation passed today also restores $49 million in proposed cuts to the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), which would include:

• $23.6 million to proposed across-the-board cuts, which would have resulted in a decrease in awards by $75;
• $14 million to restore the maximum award to $4,500 (the Executive proposed reducing it to $4,000);
• $8.4 million for rejection of increased academics standard and credit minimum for TAP; and
• $3 million in awards for graduate students.

The Assembly also approved a $56 million restoration to proposed community college cuts, which will help assure that New Yorkers across the state have access to an affordable, quality college education. These restorations include $40.3 million to State University of New York and $16.4 million to City University of New York schools, which represent a base aid restoration of $285 per full-time equivalent.