Legislative Action Committee

End the GEA (Gap Elimination Adjustment)

The Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) was introduced in 2009-2010 to balance what was then a $10 billion budget deficit. Since that time, the state legislature has redirected money away from schools to close the state deficit, thereby shifting its school aid obligation to provide a sound education for all children of New York State to the local taxpayers. Putting even more pressure on school districts, New York State has simultaneously implemented major educational reforms that mandate significant unfunded district expenditures during the worst economic conditions for our schools.

The GEA has cost West Islip taxpayers over $15.6 million in the last four years, money that could have been used to save program and reduce taxes. In the 2013-2014 school year alone, West Islip schools lost $3.2 million to the GEA, which translates to approximately $327 per household on the tax levy, or about $694 per student.

Long Island enrolls nearly 17% of the state’s students, but receives just 12% of school aid. Yet, 18% of the statewide GEA reduction is absorbed by Long Island school districts.

On October 20, 2014 Governor Cuomo declared: “We have our fiscal house in order. Credit ratings for the state are up. We actually have a surplus for state. We went from a 10 billion dollar deficit to a 4 billion dollar surplus.”