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NEW YORK, NY April 03, 2007 —Now that the state budget has been approved, New York City's longtime battle over education aid finally appears to be over. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more.

After 13 years of litigation, the state's highest court ruled last year that New York City was owed additional school aid. The new budget gives the city schools an extra $3.2 billion over the next four years.

The Bloomberg administration had initially expressed concern that the governor's budget would actually result in a net loss during the first year. But the final budget apparently put those worries to rest, with Mayor Bloomberg calling it an historic commitment to education.

More than 80 percent of the new funds are considered foundation aid - a baseline that isn't supposed to change each year. However, education advocates acknowledge the city will still have to compete with other districts for the rest of its money. Already, Westchester lawmakers are grumbling that their schools were shortchanged when Long Island Republicans outmaneuvered them in the final negotiations.

For WNYC I'm Beth Fertig.