Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell says she is pleased with a recently passed budget proposal that would increase education funding $334 million above Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s executive budget.

Russell (D-Theresa), who represents St. Lawrence County municipalities along the St. Lawrence River as well as Canton and Potsdam, said the proposal includes an $834 million increase in school aid above last year.

The proposal includes various formula calculations to reflect changes in foundation aid and Gap elimination adjustment restoration. This includes the elimination of the Income Wealth Index minimum (floor) in the Foundation Aid Formula, according to Russell.

“Including the elimination of the minimum income wealth floor in foundation aid is something I have been fighting for in my school funding equality act,” Russell said. “This provision will increase state aid to poorer school districts, helping to ensure that students continue to receive valuable educational opportunities without overburdening our families through increased property taxes.”

The Assembly’s budget proposal:

• Eliminates the provision of the Income Wealth Index minimum (floor) in the Foundation Aid Formula;

• continues its phase-in of Foundation Aid and increases it by $208 million;

• preserves the full $25 million pre-K grant and modifies the grant to authorize new half-day or full-day slots;

• restores $10.22 million to teacher resource and computer training centers;

• provides a $4 million increase to non-public schools, including the Comprehensive Attendance Policy program;

• provides an increase of $1.5 million to the administration of the high school equivalency diploma exam;

• increases adult literacy education by $1 million;

• provides $1 million for educational services for Deferred Action for

Russell said the Assembly proposal will also strengthen the higher education system by increasing community college base aid for the second consecutive year.

This year’s budget will increase aid by $150 per Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) student at SUNY community colleges.

“Every North Country resident deserves the chance to earn a college degree and obtain the skills to advance in today’s job market, Assemblywoman Russell said. “This increase to community college base aid will make attending college more affordable, giving more opportunities to our children and families.”