Conservatives Applaud Education Initiatives

Ft. Hamilton Station, NY – As members of the Legislator return to Albany today, the budget is first and foremost on every ones mind. The proposed budget grew even more when the Legislators were out of town when an additional $18 million was added to the $120.6 billion budget. Legislators have yet to add to the budget and if past history is any indication, they certainly will.

Conservatives do see some positive steps in the education portion of the budget and urged Members to vote for them in the following letter:

It is a well-known fact that the New York State Conservative Party believes many of the proposals in this year’s budget should be curtailed and some should be entirely eliminated. The hard working families of New York State are finding it more and more difficult to pay the tax-burden placed on them.

Education is a major component of this years’ budget, as it always is and the increase is substantial. The amount spent on education in the past has not produced the results we have expected, but some of the proposals put forward by Governor Eliot Spitzer, have our strong support.

Charter Schools have a proven record and we strongly support the Governor’s proposal to increase the number of charter schools by 150 allowing SUNY, the Board of Regents and New York City’s School Chancellor to authorize 50 new charter schools.

We also strongly support the proposed personal income tax deduction up to one-thousand dollars for children in private or parochial schools. As you know, the Conservative Party has long championed a tax credit for children in private or parochial schools, and while we believe a tax-credit would provide more of a benefit to parents, a tax deduction will generate a little relief to parents who pay tuition for private/parochial schools in addition to the same taxes every one pays for public schools.

We also support Governor Spitzer’s goal of holding schools who receive an increase of 10% or $15 million in school aid to new accountability measures. However, we would encourage you to eliminate the 10% or $15 million number and hold every school accountable for monies received.

The above proposals need to be enacted and we urge you to cast your vote for these positive educational changes.
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