Enacts the "framework for the future act"; repealer

Purpose or general idea of the bill

The Framework for the Future Act is an outline for restructuring the system of financing schools in taxes and increase the cost effectiveness of school operations. This act enacts into law major components of legislation, which are necessary to reform real property taxation for the support of public schools and enhancing the efficiency and transpar- ency of the funding of public education, Each component is wholly contained within a Part identified as Parts A through W.

Summary of provisions

To amend the education law in relation to requiring the state to pay one-half of the employer contributions to the New York State Teachers Retirement System (Part A) (Add S.521-a);

To amend the civil service law in relation to the provision of a health insurance plan to the officers and employees of cooperative educational services, and their dependents (Part B) (Amd SS161, Chapter 329 of 1960);

To amend the education law in relation to public high cost excess cost aid; and to repeal subdivision 5-a of section 3602 of such law relating to supplemental public excess cost aid (Part C);

To direct state leaders to lobby for greater federal funding of state public education (Part D);

To direct the governor to establish a study group to evaluate and make recommendations relating to the extent to which state mandates exceed federal mandates; to amend the state finance law, in relation to requir- ing state reimbursement of localities for additional mandate expenses; and providing for the repeal of certain provisions upon the expiration thereof (Part E);

To amend the legislative law in relation to prohibiting unfunded mandates. (Part F);

To amend the legislative law, the executive law, and the state adminis- trative procedure act in relation to requiring disclosure of any cost

and source Of funding of any provision requiring a political subdivision of the state to expend additional funds (Part G);

To amend the education law in relation to directing the commission or education to develop and implement a program to provide information, expertise and assistance to school districts to facilitate consolidation (Part H);

To amend the state finance law and the education law in relation to efficiency study grants for school districts (Part I);

To amend the education law in relation to expanding the authority of boards of cooperative educational services to provide shared services to their component school districts, and to repeal subparagraph 2 of para- graph a of subdivision 4 of section 1950 of such law relating to limita- tion on the compensation payable to the superintendent of such board (Part J);

To amend the education law in relation to providing state aid to boards of cooperative educational services for career and technical education (Part K);

To direct the commissioner of education to establish a task force to analyze and report on alternative methods of funding charter schools which do not reduce the funding of the school districts of residence; and providing for the repeal of such Provisions upon expiration thereof (Part L);

To amend the education law in relation to providing state aid to school districts for energy cost increases (Part M);

To amend the public authorities law in relation to directing the power authority of the state of New York to provide financing for energy conservation improvements to schools (Part N);

To amend the education law in relation to authorizing boards of cooper- ative educational services to operate regional transportation systems (Part O);

To amend the education law in relation to total foundation aid to school districts (Part P);

To amend the education law in relation to providing transportation aid based upon school district expenses therefor (Part Q);

To amend the education law in relation to increasing reorganization incentive aid (Part R);

To amend the education law in relation to the financial responsibly for state schools for the blind and the deaf (Part S);

To amend the executive law, in relation to directing the department of audit and control to compile and publish an annual taxpayer report card (Part T);

To amend the state finance law, the public authorities law, ·and the general municipal law in relation to requiring governmental entities to publish a detailed copy of their proposed budget not less that 3D days prior to approval thereof (Part U);

To amend the executive law in relation to directing the department of audit and control to publish an annual report on the costs to municipal corporations of requirements imposed thereon by state law, rules, and. regulations (Part V);

To amend the state finance law and the education law, in relation to appropriations for the support of the school districts (Part W).

The Framework for the Future Act is a comprehensive approach for improv- ing our system of educational finance and school operations effective- ness through:

1. Preserving community control of school districts and limiting school budget increase; expenses rooted in mandates; 3. Helping school districts to control expenses and enhance efficiency; 4. Reforming state support for education to promote fair distribution of aid and reduce taxes; 5. Requiring greater transparency of all.local spending.

Justification

Given the current economic crisis in New York State and across the coun- try, the Legislature must take action to enact fair and equitable school property tax reforms to improve school operations and reduce dependence on property taxes.

The Framword for the Future Act of 2010 is an effort to provide a comprehensive approach form improving our system of education al finance and school operations effectiveness.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately provided, however, that the applicable effective date of Parts A through W of this act shall be as specifically set forth in the last section of such Parts.