Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R, I, C – Batavia) is pleased to announce that Governor Paterson today signed into law the Assemblyman’s legislation to allow Genesee Valley Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) to retain capital improvement funding.

“I am very pleased that the Governor has signed this important legislation into law. This is great news for Genesee Valley BOCES and all the families touched by this valuable educational institution,” said the Assemblyman.

Specifically, the new law will correct a minor paperwork error that could have prevented Genesee Valley BOCES from retaining $463,300 in 2007 state aid. The sum of state aid will be kept by Genesee Valley BOCES, which they will use as reimbursements for eligible and approved improvement projects for the years of 1997-1998, 1998-1999, and 1999-2000.

Having served on the Genesee Valley BOCES Board of Education, Assemblyman Hawley has remained passionate about ensuring schools have the state support they need in order to provide students with the best possible education. For his dedication to improving education across the state, Hawley was named “Freshman Legislator of the Year” by the New York State School Boards Association earlier this spring.

During the emergency session called by the Governor for August 19, Hawley plans to hold to his commitment to our schools during the anticipated negotiations regarding enacting a property tax cap. The Assemblyman stated, “It is imperative that the state release taxpayers from the excessive burden of property taxes. However, we must ensure that our children’s education is not compromised in the process. Cutting the tax burden is among my highest priorities, and I look forward to reviewing the various plans to help deliver that much-needed property tax relief.”