New York State legislators, still elated over getting what they described as an on-time budget for the second year in a row, announced that they will be bringing home $1.3 billion more in state aid to Long Island's schools than last year. The package, if it survives the final negotiations between the legislature and Gov. George Pataki, would be the largest increase in the state's history, with Long Islanders sharing in that windfall that includes increases to their schools, counties, towns and villages.

"Passing an on-time budget continues to be our commitment to education as well as providing record levels of state aid to school districts," said Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr.

Fuschillo pointed out that timely state budgets help reduce costs at the local level because municipalities, particularly schools are able to include accurate numbers in their budgets and, in some cases, reduce the costs of borrowing. "Long Island is finally getting it's fair share," he added.

In addition, lawmakers made some changes to the way in which the state aid is determined and distributed to each school district. Traditionally, Long Islanders were penalized because aid did not reflect the differences in regional costs such as salaries and energy cost.

"We needed fiscal equity and we got that this time around. We hope to be able to do the same in the future," said the senator who is proposing a bill to regulate the cost index to help make the state aid formula a little less complicated and hopefully give Long Island additional money in upcoming years.

In addition, the formula adds a "High Tax Aid," line, which will help minimize local tax increases.

"This newly formed assistance is clearly what our hard-working taxpayers so desperately need and deserve," said Assemblyman Joseph Saladino (R-Massapequa).

Saladino said that Long Island schools got some additional help with a new line item for capital improvements. This aid, in the amount of $2.6-billion called Children's Education and Learning (EXCEL), will be used for school rehabilitation, disabilities access compliance, health and safety refurbishment, reduction of energy costs, implementation of educational technology and the debt of service of any upcoming projects. With so many Long Island districts moving forward with renovation plans, this funding will help offset some of those costs.

"Providing for our children's education is one of my top priorities and I am so pleased we have been able to provide the districts with these substantial increases," said Saladino.

"This increase invests in our children's future by investing in their overall education experience," said Senator Kemp Hannon. "This will ensure that our kids will be able to continue to have a quality education in safe, modern classrooms while easing the burden on taxpayers."

College students will also benefit from the new budget, which will fully restore the Governor's cuts to the state's tuition assistance program (TAP) and agrees to create a part-time TAP program for students attending SUNY, CUNY and independent state colleges. The legislature also rejected the Governor's proposal to increase tuition at SUNY and CUNY colleges.

"This budget preserves, protects and enhances the high quality and affordable community based healthcare that millions of New Yorkers depend upon each day," said Hannon, chairman of the senate's state health committee.

If accepted, the budget would restore more than $830 million to hospitals, nursing homes and home care including $221.1 million to restore prescription drug coverage and extending the Medicare Part D wraparound through January 14, 2007 so that no member would have to go without their medication. It would also aid hospitals, nursing homes and made home care access easier as well as adding new housing for the mentally ill in upstate New York.

Also in the budget, approved by both assembly and senate:

 a $2-billion in school tax rebate checks for homeowner's across New York State and another $72million for STAR cost of living increases for seniors.

the elimination of personal income tax marriage penalty

the elimination of a four-percent sales tax on clothing and shoe purchases under $110 as of April 1st.

passage of a personal income tax credit equal to $200 for volunteer firefighters and first responders.

Towns, Villages and libraries can also expect to see increases, if the budget passes.

Library funding was $94.6-million through the use of the 2000 census data, rather than the 1990 statistics that the state had been using. Librarians across the state lobbied hard for the change, said many library officials, who added that the additional funding will go a long way to help many of their expansion and renovation construction projects.

Aid to municipalities was cut in the early 1990s due to the state's fiscal crisis and had never been restored. With this budgets, lawmakers are looking to do that.

"By increasing [this aid], we can make a significant difference in the ability of local governments to deliver critical services," said Assemblyman Bob Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst). "For too long, local leaders have had to stretch dollars too far."

"By increasing help for local governments, we can make a significant difference in the ability of local governments to deliver critical services," said Saladino.

In addition, the Empire State student tax credit was enacted by the state which will provide parents of school-age children with a per child tax credit. This will save New York families $600-million statewide, according to Fuschillo.

In what he described as an effort to reduce state spending and avoided a major deficit in the state budget, Governor Pataki has vetoed many portions of the budget, but aid to schools remained relatively untouched.

Sen. Owen Johnson (R-Babylon) said Pataki's fears for a deficit are unfounded. "It's no secret that people who live in New York state are among the highest taxed in the nation," he said. "That's why we nixed $500 million in new taxes and fees, and would have included $4.1 billion in tax cuts."

"Our budget is balanced and we're sticking with it," said Assemblyman Andrew Raia (R-Deer Park). "The bottom line is that we made good use of the surplus for our Long Island residents who are being strangled by taxes."

Members of the Assembly and Senate said Lawmakers were meeting this week to see if they could come up with enough votes to override some or all of the Governor's vetoes said Senator Hannon.