Today over 40 Yeshivas, Day Schools, and Jewish community organizations participated in a conference call reviewing the New York State budget impact on the Jewish community with Assistant Speaker Assemblymember Rhoda Jacobs hosted jointly by the Orthodox Union’s Institute for Public Affairs and the UJA-Federation of New York.

On the call, items such as the restoration of full funding for Mandated Services, correction of the formula under which the Comprehensive Attendance Program (CAP) reimbursement is calculated and additional CAP funding, the new funds made available for security, and the exemption of nonpublic schools from the MTA Payroll Tax were all discussed in detail. Assemblymember Jacobs also specified the manner in which organizations could take advantage of these budget items and what these items would mean in actual dollar figures.

Assemblymember Jacobs also discussed the significant increase in Jewish communal advocacy efforts by organizations such as the Orthodox Union and UJA-Federation in Albany this budget cycle, which had a direct correlation to the items achieved. Assemblymember Jacobs at the same time commented on the need to continue such efforts on a consistent and ongoing basis in order to reach the long term relief that Jewish Day Schools so badly need.

“If we are to ensure that our community and its leadership become engaged in our legislative budget process to the degree necessary to have a substantive impact on it, it is critical that we ensure that we promote and make available an understanding of that process. Assemblymember Jacobs helped the budget come alive for our community this afternoon and I would like to thank her for her efforts both today and on behalf of our community throughout her career,” said Michael Cohen, OU/ IPA New York State Director of Political Affairs.

“The struggle day in and day out to construct a budget in this economy is extraordinarily difficult. Ensuring that the budget adds resources to the Jewish day schools and community institutions in these trying times is all that much more challenging. However, it is important for the community to understand how the budget effects their institutions and how fortunate we are to have such success stories,” said Assemblymember Rhoda Jacobs.

“The increased funding for non-public schools included in this year’s budget is a sign that our voices are being heard in Albany. We are immensely grateful to Assistant Speaker Jacobs for taking the time to help our local day schools and yeshivas understand the implications of these significant additional funds,” said Darcy Hirsh, UJA-Federation of New York Director of Day School Advocacy.

(YWN Desk – NYC)