Oppenheimer Gathers Superintendents Facing Cuts In State Aid

Mamaroneck Schools Face Possible $1M Budget Gap

by Judy Silberstein

(November 13, 2008) New York State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, just off the campaign trail, has called an emergency meeting of all school superintendents in her district for Monday, November 17 in response to this week’s proposal from Governor David A. Paterson for mid-year cuts in NY State aid to local schools. The worsening financial crisis is decimating projected tax revenues, leading the governor to suggest state spending cuts of at least $5.2 billion in the next 16 months.

The Legislature is returning to Albany on Tuesday, November 18 for a special session to address the massive budget shortfalls expected for the current and upcoming budget year. Complicating matters is the ongoing political wrangling over control of the New York Senate. Democrats won 32 of 62 seats, giving that party the majority for the first time in 40 years. However, party leaders are still negotiating with three senators from New York City who are threatening to caucus with the Republicans, which would leave the leadership in Republican hands.

“I’ve moved very quickly from political campaign to government reality,” said Ms. Oppenheimer, referring to the various financial and legislative crises in a telephone interview with the Gazette on Thursday, November 13.

Mamaroneck Faces Possible $1Million Budget Gap

Locally, the reality translates to a reduction of around $530K out of a total of $7.7M in NY State aid to the Mamaroneck School District. Support for transportation and building projects would remain the same, but other areas would see a 9-10% cut, if the Legislature goes along with the governor’s proposals.

Mamaroneck Superintendent Dr. Paul Fried e-mailed the following comment: "While we may have anticipated even more devastating news, the fact of the matter is that the Governor’s proposed cut of $528,871 for Mamaroneck Schools, combined with the loss of revenue we are expecting due to declining interest rates; a projected decrease in county sales tax, and a 40% increase in our utility bill in January make for a very challenging educational picture."

"All of these factors together mean that our actual mid-year deficit could be in the range of $1 million," added Dr. Fried. "That said, we are certainly hopeful that between now and when the state legislators vote this picture will change favorably."

Ms. Oppenheimer said, “We’re fighting our hardest to prevent cuts in the middle of the year. School districts have no flexibility to adjust for these cuts.”

The senator has been fielding calls for help from superintendents in her district, so she is gathering them together to brainstorm potential solutions. “Maybe we can get recommendations from the superintendents on mandate relief and flexibility,” she said. “Money that comes down from the state for specific purposes, perhaps, could be used elsewhere” in a school district.

Ms. Oppenheimer said she understood the need to address the budget crisis. “It’s difficult to cut services anywhere,” she said, “But we must act responsibly.“

Legislative Priorities for 2009: Reform, Reform, Reform

The mid-year budget situation, obviously, is priority number one. And any other initiative that requires new funding will be difficult to implement in the current financial climate. So what does the senator hope to be working on in the new session that begins in January?

Reforms were at the top of Ms. Oppenheimer’s list, including changes in Senate rules, election laws and campaign finance.

“First thing we must do is reform the rules of the Senate – the rules have been oppressive,” she said. “A dozen different rules must be changed. The rank and file must have more say.”

In the area of election law, Ms. Oppenheimer said she would like to see an independent redistricting committee along with changes to allow early voting, same day registration and weekend voting.

“Remember, I’m a past president of the League of Women Voters,” she said. “I would like to see as many people voting as possible.”

She would also like to see “much stricter limitations on campaign finance,” she stressed.

Campaign 2008: "Enormous" Amount of Money

Campaign finance was an interesting component of the 2008 race for New York’s 37th Senate District, in which Ms. Oppenheimer won a 13th term against Larchmont Mayor Liz Feld. Asked to step back and reflect on the election, Ms. Oppenheimer said the outcome was very similar to the past 12 campaigns she has conducted. “I’ve always won with numbers between 60% and 68%,” she said. “So it was consistent with past numbers.

On the other hand, there were major differences.

“Firstly, there was an enormous amount of money being spent by my opposition,” she said. “I’ve never seen a campaign so heavily financed by the Senate Republicans.”

Ms. Feld spent over $569K, including $313K received from the NY Republican Senate Campaign Committee, according to filings with the NY State Board of Elections.

Asked about her own campaign, Ms. Oppenheimer said, “ Oh, yes,” she did indeed raise and spend much more than in previous years. “I recognized what was happening toward the end of summer and started raising money. I hope my friends are all still talking to me,” she laughed.

The Oppenheimer campaign spent around $242K, including $160K in transfers from the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, but Ms. Oppenheimer said that much of that originated from her own fundraising. Determining the exact provenance of each dollar can get difficult when funds are carried over from previous years and transferred among various campaign committees, she noted.

Another difference was in the tone on the campaign, suggested Ms. Oppenheimer. “My opponent spent $330,000 with this political consultant from Virginia that did the Swift Boat campaign. I think she was poorly advised to do the personal attack on my family and my husband. This has never occurred before. Westchester likes discussion of the issues. I don’t think they like personal attacks.”

Stay Tuned for Updates on the Senate, the Schools & Reform

Before Ms. Oppenheimer could comment further on the campaign or her upcoming legislative agenda, she was called to another urgent conversation, this time with Senator Malcolm A. Smith, whom Democrats last week re-elected to lead their caucus.

Will the Legislature balance the budget? Will Mamaroneck schools get to keep their state aid? Will the Democrats gain control of the Senate? And will the NY Senate enact internal and election reforms?

Senator Oppenheimer promised she would be reporting back on these and other issues as the legislative drama continues.

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