Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state lawmakers passed early Saturday a $168.3-billion budget for 2019.

By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com

State lawmakers and Gov. Andrew Cuomo passed early Saturday a $168.3 billion budget for the 2019 fiscal year that calls for increased school aid; money to combat gang violence and the opioid addiction crisis; and efforts to mitigate federal tax laws that limit property tax reductions.

Additional $4.61M In Aid Secured For Local Schools

Cuomo said the budget “protects New York’s future with record funding for education,” which amounts to $26.03 billion in total school aid — an $859 million increase from the previous year.

Huntington schools did “very well” when it comes to state aid figures in the 2019 budget, according to Senator Carl Marcellino (R-Syosset).

In total, Huntington-area schools will see $160.48 million in state aid, an around $4.61-million increase from the previous year’s budget.

Suffolk County schools as a whole are expected to receive $1.85 billion, without subtracting building aid, from the state.

Locally, the biggest increase percentage-wise belongs to the Huntington school district, which is in line for a 5.03-percent boost from last year.

Commack will see the smallest increase at 0.64-percent, or $221,550.

“It should give taxpayers a break on the amount of money that the districts have to raise,” Marcellino said.

Additional figures can be seen in the chart below.

Additional Funding To Combat Gangs, Opioid Addiction

State officials also established two means of battling the state’s gang and opioid crises.

The budget calls for a $16-million plan to give Long Island’s youth access to social programs in an effort to reduce recruitment by gangs, including MS-13. A Community Assistance Team from State Police will also be deployed to assist local law enforcement agencies combat gangs on Long Island.

“Gang life is not just a law enforcement issue; it’s a social issue that demands a coordinated effort to reach kids before they become trapped by violent groups like MS-13,” Suffolk DA Tim Sini said in a statement Monday. “We are encouraged that this issue is being tackled with commonsense measures and the necessary funding to make these programs a reality.”

The state will also enforce fines on opioid manufacturers and distributors that will be put into an Opioid Stewardship Fund.

While information from Cuomo’s office said an estimated $100 million is expected to be allocated towards that fund, Assemblyman Andrew Raia (R-Northport) said he was told otherwise.

Raia said $20 million raised by the fee will go towards solving the opioid crisis, while the remaining $80 million will go back into the state’s general fund.

‘Behind Closed Doors’ Process Criticized

The budget was passed less than 24 hours before the April 1 deadline, a feat that Cuomo called a “herculean task,” however some questioned the means by which it was accomplished.

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said the process occurred “behind closed doors, leaving the public in the dark about how taxpayer money will be spent.”

However, Raia said the negotiations were necessary to close a spending deficit without any major cuts.

Bellone: Suffolk Scores ‘Major Victories’ With Budget

Suffolk Executive Steve Bellone said the county “scored major victories in this year’s state budget by securing funding for the overwhelming majority of our top priorities.”

Both Assemblyman Raia and Senator Marcellino said the budget isn’t perfect, but that it continues to provide important state aid for Huntington residents.

“Additional state aid of almost $1 billion helps Long Island taxpayers every time,” Raia said.

Marcellino said, “It went far enough that we could move ahead and our local municipalities and school districts could do what they have to do.”

Marcellino added that Huntington will also benefit from state aid for roads and infrastructure projects.