The state budget was technically a day late, but some lawmakers say it definitely wasn't a dollar short where Long Island schools and hospitals are concerned.
The New York State Legislature passed a $120.9 billion budget Sunday that increases spending by 7.3 percent. While Governor Eliot Spitzer's (D-NY) initial budget raised concerns about school funding, tax rebates and health care, Long Island fared well.
State Sen. Craig Johnson (D-Great Neck) says Long Island schools will receive about 12 percent of the state budget and a $200 million boost for problem districts. "School districts like Elmont, Westbury and my senatorial district are going to see significant aid. For far too long they have not seen the appropriate aid and now we're going to do something about it," said Johnson.
State Sen. John Flanagan (R-Smithtown) says lawmakers were also able to restore funding to address patient care on the Island, despite Spitzer cutting Medicaid by $1 billion. New Yorkers also have $1.3 billion in property tax rebates to look forward to.