Perfect timing in Albany pays off
for local schools
Apparently, miracles can happen.
First, the state Legislature passes a budget on time for the second
year in a row and saves many school districts from a likely string
of defeated budgets next month with an unexpected sizeable increase
in education funding.
Then, United Taxpayers of Yorktown President Ed Ciffone declares he
will wholeheartedly be supporting the budget (the bond is another
story for another day).
What's next?
Peekskill Mayor John Testa and Councilwoman Drew Claxton will kiss
and make up?
Putnam Valley Supervisor Sam Davis will show up to work clean shaven?
The Ossining Village Board will smarten up and lend its support to
the arts center proposed on Main Street?
Lakeland school officials will find a safe full of money that Dr.
Barnett Sturm stashed away for a rainy day?
April Fool's Day has already come and gone. Is it a full moon? Was
that a pig that just flew by?
Of course, it's so obvious. It's an election year for state lawmakers,
and what better way to start a campaign season than to be able to
tell everyone who isn't listening that the Legislature is in sync
and able to meet a deadline.
Hey, anyone in the newspaper business could teach politicians a trick
or two about deadlines, if they bothered to ask. Why do we always
have to do all the asking?
But seriously, it seemed no one was more surprised about this Albany
windfall than local school officials, all of whom were facing an ugly
spring with double-digit tax increases staring them and taxpayers
square in the face.
Now, everything looks so much brighter, even though Lakeland should
not smile too wide about bringing forth a spending plan saddled with
a seven or eight percent tax hike.
Same goes for Hendrick Hudson and Ossining.
Perhaps, school officials should try to capitalize on their good fortune
this week by playing the lottery. Friday's Mega Millions jackpot is
$160 million.
As they say, you have to be in it, to win it. It also doesn't hurt
for state representatives to be desperate to keep their livelihoods.
