Graf Votes Against NYS Budget Proposal

Citing the proposal from state lawmakers that would siphon $2 million in aid to the Sachem School District, State Assemblyman Al Graf (R,C,I-Holbrook) voted no on the governor's draft budget proposal for New York State this week.

Graf described the proposal as "inequitable and unfair" to Long Island while it continues to support public agencies within New York City limits.

“If maybe I was a representative for New York City, this would be a great deal for me," Graf told the Assembly floor during his allotted minutes. "However, as a representative of Long Island, it falls short of the needs of the people that I represent...Once again, Long Island and other rural areas are expected to be the piggy bank for the rest of the state.”

Graf specifically mentioned Sachem's $2 million decrease in state aid, but said the budget in its entirety doesn't benefit the people of New York. Sachem's officials and Board of Education members have been lobbying Graf's office as well as other state lawmakers, imploring them to fight for the district's aid since Albany first released its preliminary budget proposal in January.

Watch Graf argue his points in the video embedded in this story.