"The governor proposed a budget that is unfair to our schools and our children, and, if enacted, would put further strain on Long Island's taxpayers. __Long Island's portion of new school aid would decrease by nearly 40 percent under this unacceptable proposal.

"Though some individual districts actually received funding increases with this budget, schools in our portion of Nassau have overall experienced significant aid reductions that would put undue financial strain on our districts. This will almost surely be placed on the backs of our taxpayers. Make no mistake about it: New York State is facing some large and very real financial difficulties this year. However, it is simply unacceptable to demand that our children bear this burden.

"Recently, the governor selected Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi to lead a commission to examine a cap on school spending. This is a conversation that I support.

"But for a spending cap to work, unfunded mandates on these districts need to be eased and the state has to make a commitment to ensure that schools have the funding that they need.

"Any of the commission's recommendations will have to go before the legislature, and - at the absolute earliest - would not be eligible to take effect until next year.

"New York's commitment to our children should not have to wait until then.

"As negotiations begin over what will be the final budget that gets put before the legislature, I intend to be there to fight for what is fair and what is right.

"Preserving the quality of Long Island's educational system transcends partisanship. I am asking my colleagues that represent Long Island in the Senate and the Assembly to join me.

"It is my hope that we will end up with a budget that Long Island families need and our children deserve."

"Recently, media reports have surfaced about a potential agreement among Albany's leaders to raise state legislators' pay.

"With the softening economy, a looming state budget battle over the fate of our schools, and the mountain of legislative work that the Senate Majority seems to have little interest in completing, I do not think it is appropriate, nor prudent, to be considering a legislative pay raise at this time.

"I will vote against such a bill if it comes to the floor.

"If it passes, I promise to donate this extra pay to worthy nonprofit organizations within the 7th Senate District.

"First on the list would be organizations that had member item funds secured by my predecessor, only to have them revoked by the Senate Republicans after my election."