Senator Flanagan and the Senate Republican Conference Propose Restoring Funds to Libraries, Non-Public Schools

(New York, N.Y.) Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District), along with his fellow members of the Senate Republican Conference, recently proposed an amendment to deficiency budget legislation being advanced by Senate Democrats that would restore $2.7 million to libraries and $6.3 million to non-public schools.

The proposal would have restored funds that were eliminated as part of last year’s budget and during last summer’s special session in August. Under the conference’s proposal, the needed funding for the libraries and non-public schools would have come from unanticipated General Fund revenues.

The Senate Democrats, who currently hold the majority in the Senate, voted to defeat the amendment.

“One of our main priorities as elected officials is to ensure that the State maintains its commitment to education, and libraries and non-public schools are an integral part of the education system in New York,” said Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos. “I’m disappointed the Senate Democrats voted to defeat this amendment that would have restored these funds at a time when our libraries and schools need them most.”

“Libraries and non-public schools are vital to our educational system and it is our duty to ensure they receive adequate funds to provide our students with a sound education.  We have an opportunity to restore funds that were eliminated last year, and it is very disappointing that the Democratic conference has failed to act,” stated Senator John Flanagan, ranking member of the Senate Education Committee.