CFE Says State Could Face $4.2M In Fines a Day

ALBANY - The state should face $4.2 million a day in fines if it doesn't comply with a court order to increase funding for New York City schools, the plaintiffs in the case proposed yesterday.

In a motion filed with the court, the Campaign for Fiscal Equity urged the judge overseeing the case, Leland DeGrasse of the state Supreme Court at Manhattan, to issue an order next month requiring state lawmakers to provide the city schools with more than $23 billion in additional funding over the next several years.

That amount includes a gradual increase in annual operating aid of $5.6 billion, or 45%, plus $9.2 billion for construction and renovation of buildings.

The dollar figures come from a panel appointed by Judge DeGrasse that recommended a compliance plan earlier this month.

If Albany fails to comply within 90 days, the CFE argued, Judge DeGrasse should fine the state $4.2 million a day and send the money to the city Department of Education. That amount, if continued for a full year, would equal the first year's down payment in the recommended order.

"The impasse should not be borne by a million-plus school children," the chief counsel of the CFE, Michael Rebell, said. "It should be borne by the state, and they can figure out how to pay for it."