Legislative Leaders Discuss Education in Budget Talks

ALBANY (AP) —

New York legislative leaders said Wednesday they were closing in on a deal to fund pre-kindergarten and discussing a delay to Common Core academic standards as they tried to finalize budget bills this week.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver told reporters there were no final deals on anything, but he said they expect to be ready to print budget bills by Friday. That would allow the Legislature to vote on a budget by Monday, the day before the fiscal year begins.

Senate co-leader Jeff Klein, a Democrat, said they’re moving toward a $300 million funding target for pre-kindergarten in New York City, which would be $40 million less than what Mayor Bill de Blasio had sought. Republican Senate co-leader Dean Skelos said they are also trying to make sure Long Island and upstate school districts are treated fairly under the deal.

The leaders also were talking about ways to help charter schools and make sure they have the ability to operate in public school buildings, an issue that flared up after de Blasio revoked three charters’ applications to co-locate.

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