SMALL CITY SCHOOLS TURN TO LAWMAKERS FOR RELIEF.(CAPITAL REGION)

Byline: MICHAEL GORMLEY Associated Press

After voters rejected a constitutional amendment to allow small city school districts statewide to incur more debt, schools are looking to the Legislature for relief.

``I think it's trying to overturn the mandate of the people,'' said state Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long, who led opposition to the proposition. He said when voters look at their own rising costs of living -- including higher tax bills -- they reduce their spending.

``They don't see the same thing happening in the school environment,'' Long said.

The New York School Boards Association said the Legislature, which twice …