Babylon District Vows to Fight Building Aid Veto Action

The Babylon School District aims to fight for $100,000 in state building construction aid vetoed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo earlier this month, and calls the state leader’s action “an excessive response” to late appllication filing by several Long Island schools.

In a note on its website Tuesday district leaders noted the vetoed legislation had been approved by both the Assembly and Senate. The district also acknowledged it was responsible for the filing error on construction reimbursement forms. Babylon is one of four Long Island schools impacted by the governor's veto.

“We acknowledge, and take responsibility for, this filing error. Our view, however, is that the state aid -- which amounts to less than $7,000 per year -- is owed to the district. We look forward to working with our legislators and the Governor’s office to help reclaim these funds during the 2012 legislative session,” the district's note reads. 

Cuomo has reportedly stated he vetoed the aid citing the overall impact of spending an additional $60 million in state funds. An email to the governor's office regarding the veto was not answered by press time.

Other districts impacted by the veto include Central Islip, Smithtown and Rocky Point.