Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) joined legislative colleagues at a press conference urging the governor to release school aid runs so districts across the state can properly prepare their budgets for the coming fiscal year.

“The governor must realize there are consequences to his political posturing,” said Blankenbush, whose district includes much of southwestern St. Lawrence County.

Typically, projected school aid figures are released when the governor proposes his budget and school districts begin considering their budgets for the next school year with those figures in mind. Gov. Cuomo unveiled his proposal over a month ago, but no school aid estimates have been presented school boards, to the legislature or the public.

“His refusal to outline school aid projections is making it nearly impossible for school districts to properly budget for the coming year,” said Blankenbush. “Many school districts are planning for the worst, no increase in the state’s portion of public education. As costs rise, school districts may be forced to make job and program cuts that will ultimately put our children’s education in jeopardy.”

At the press conference, school officials spoke about the hardships of preparing for budgets without knowing how much school aid they will receive. They are concerned about having to cut jobs and programs for students, or having to increase property taxes to fund public education. The deadline for districts to submit tax levies to the state comptroller is March 1.

“This political game must stop. The governor must act like a statesman and ensure that the people of this state, especially our children, are properly served,” Blankenbush said.