NY Senate Passes Budget Resolution; Seward Comments

The State Senate has passed its budget resolution for the fiscal year 2014-2015.

According to State Senator James Seward, among the highlights are a property tax relief plan which simplifies the governor's proposal and offers 1.4 billion dollars in property tax relief over two years; a school aid increase of $811.9 million with a $541 million restoration of the Gap Elimination Adjustment; and plans to give tax relief for manufacturers and elimination of the energy tax surcharge.

There are provisions to help families afford the cost of college and a new tax credit for graduates who stay and work in New York.  The plan also rejects the governor’s scheme to give free college tuition to prison inmates.