Senator Craig Johnson joined parents, teachers, students and school officials from across the 7th Senate District at a rally demanding that Long Island receive its fair share of school aid in this year's budget.

Johnson was one of roughly 1,500 Long Islanders - including the eight Republican senators from Nassau and Suffolk - who attended the rally, which was held Saturday, March 1, in Farmingdale.

"This is not a partisan issue," Senator Johnson said. "This budget lets down our schools, lets down our taxpayers and lets down our children. While New York State is facing some large and very real financial difficulties, it is unconscionable to demand our children bear this burden. That message was heard time and time again at this rally, and this is the message that I will fight to make sure is heard in Albany."

The 2008-2009 budget is due April 1.

Last year, Senator Johnson was able to secure a record $25 million, or 19.27 percent, increase in state funding for schools within his Senate district. This percentage increase, which was the largest on the island, came despite the adoption of a new school aid formula that benefited other parts of the state.