Cuomo DeFrancisco bicker over school safety spending
Cuomo
GOP gubernatorial hopeful Sen. John DeFrancisco blasted  Gov. Cuomo  on Tuesday  saying  he  failed to release most of $2 billion in school funding  some of which could be used for safety measures.
The state regularly processes applications and only has 10 outstanding before the review board that  Cuomo  controls   his  office said. Both sides agree only $400 million has been spent.
 The Syracuse state senator  said one superintendent in Newburgh told  him   he  had an application in for several years.
While DeFrancisco put the blame on  Cuomo   saying  his  administration is either âincompetentâ or waiting to release the money during  his  re-election   Cuomoâs staff  said  it âs the Senate-controlled State Education Department thatâs responsible for the backlog.
 They  also denied DeFranciscoâs claim that 250 school districts across the state are waiting for the money because  Cuomo âs people wonât release it.
âDeFrancisco is either a liar intent on politicizing every part of state government  or he didnât read the bill he voted for â  Cuomo  spokesman Rich Azzopardi said.
The review board awarding the funds has approved 427 plans for projects covering 322 school districts and 20 special education schools   Azzopardi  said.
GOP gubernatorial hopeful Sen. John DeFrancisco blasted  Gov. Cuomo  on Tuesday  saying  he  failed to release most of $2 billion in school funding  some of which could be used for safety measures.
The state regularly processes applications and only has 10 outstanding before the review board that  Cuomo  controls   his  office said. Both sides agree only $400 million has been spent.
 The Syracuse state senator  said one superintendent in Newburgh told  him   he  had an application in for several years.
While DeFrancisco put the blame on   [TGT]  [TGT]   administration is either âincompetentâ or waiting to release the money during   [TGT]   re-election   Cuomoâs staff  said   [TGT]  âs the Senate-controlled State Education Department thatâs responsible for the backlog.
 They  also denied DeFranciscoâs claim that 250 school districts across the state are waiting for the money because   [TGT]   [TGT]  release  [TGT] .
âDeFrancisco is either a liar intent on politicizing every part of state government  or he didnât read the bill he voted for â   [TGT] spokesman Rich Azzopardi said.
The review board awarding the funds has approved 427 plans for projects covering 322 school districts and 20 special education schools   Azzopardi  said.