State Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell says she expects a budget including aid for schools could be passed by the April 1 deadline.

“I think meeting the deadline is a possibility. We are continuing to push back against the unworkable proposal put forward by the governor,” she said.

Russell says Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s budget hurts schools, as it presents no increase in foundation aid or reduction in the Gap Elimination Adjustment.

She said schools have been forced to craft budgets on these numbers, even though they are not likely realistic. However, in recent weeks she said the governor seems willing to talk. Recently it has been reported is willing to remove some key demands from his budget, including the Dream Act and a measure that would have kept teenagers from facing prison time.

Russell says she would like to see the GEA eliminated completely and wants a major increase in foundation aid. She said she will not support a budget that does not provide aid to the schools that need it most.

“There will need to be an aid increase or I will be voting no. I think we are looking at an aid increase that is even higher than $1.8 billion that has been proposed,” she said. “I hope we will do better than that. I hope we will be able to push back against the proposed reforms.”

They Assembly recently passed a budget that would raise school aid to nearly $25 billion.

Russell said she thinks the GEA will remain in the budget this year, but is hopeful it can be substantially reduced for needy districts.

“I am not sure that the governor is willing to agree to that substantial increase in aid, but I would like to at least eliminate it for the neediest schools this year,” she said.

The districts most in need of state aid tend to be in low income and rural areas like St. Lawrence County.

Russell said she has support from downstate colleagues in helping provide aid to needy districts.

“I am pushing for an on-time budget, because I know how important these numbers are for schools. We are all hoping we can get this done.”