ALBANY, NY – Members of the Assembly Republican Conference joined parents and education stakeholders to share their concerns and voice opposition about the governor’s Executive Budget proposal ending the provision of “hold harmless” for school funding assistance. The proposal as stated would cause irreparable harm to certain school districts statewide negatively impacting children’s education. Inevitably, these funding cuts will lead to weakened school programs and services as well as increased property tax burdens for residents.
In response, members of the Assembly Republican Conference have started a petition calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to restore school funding for the upcoming school year. The Executive Budget proposal would cut $168 million in Foundation Aid from 337 school districts across the state. Last year, the state committed to fully fund Foundation Aid. This year, the governor is already seeking to strip children’s education of that funding.
Assemblyman Doug Smith (R,C-Holbrook), Ranking Member on the Education Committee, said, “Our children should always come first, end of story. Gov. Hochul doubles down on funding migrants while retracting the state’s commitment to responsibly funding our schools. This change will hurt schools throughout the state leading to profound impacts on both rural and suburban schools that are already struggling to make ends meet. As a parent and an educator, I will continue the fight to ensure every child’s education!”
Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) said, “As state leaders, it’s our responsibility to ensure we’re providing students with every resource they need to succeed. Unfortunately, Gov. Hochul’s budget proposal reduces the level of Foundation Aid for 50% of the schools in the state, threatening essential resources for student development. At the same time, she’s prepared to spend $2.4 billion to manage the migrant crisis. This is an irresponsible way to distribute public money. If the governor is looking for ways to save dollars it can’t come at the expense of education.”
Assemblyman Scott Bendett (R,C-Sand Lake) said, “The governor’s plans to alter the ‘hold harmless’ provision to Foundation Aid will reduce the state’s financial commitment to many schools statewide. Taking away this provision would force some school districts to weather unanticipated Foundation Aid cuts and require them to make budget adjustments that could lead to property tax increases, larger class sizes and fewer teachers and services for our kids.”
Assemblyman Ari Brown (R-Cedarhurst) said, “The governor is once again demonstrating how out of step she is with the people she supposedly governs. Any person on the street would tell you they’d rather spend $2.4 billion on our schools and our students instead of on migrants, especially when we spent more than $1 billion on those same migrants last year and the crisis was not solved. Her priorities are backward, plain and simple, and our children’s education—and their futures—should not bear the brunt of this crisis because she’s afraid of the progressives in her party.”
Assemblyman Lester Chang (R,C-Brooklyn) said, “I strongly oppose budget cuts related to education, as proper education is the foundation upon which society rests. I will continue to support and advocate for school choice and parental rights.”
Assemblyman Ed Flood (R,C-Port Jefferson) said, “Reducing state funding for School Aid is a treacherous proposition and a disservice to our children. Three Village, Mount Sinai and Port Jefferson School Districts would have budget cuts and their superintendents fear extracurricular activities will be discontinued, buildings may shut down and staff will be laid off—affecting thousands of children and families. Our community takes pride in the established special education programs many schools offer, however, with a lack of accessible funding, those programs would be brought back down to state minimums and that creates a lot of concern for those students. Together, my colleagues and I will continue to advocate for teachers who help guide and instruct students each day. Our children’s education must be prioritized to ensure they are equipped for bright futures ahead.”
Assemblyman Jarett Gandolfo (R,C-Sayville) said, “Governor Hochul’s out-of-touch move to cut funding for some school districts—including many on Long Island—is unconscionable and stands directly against the value of guaranteeing an even and quality education for all students in New York. Long Island alone is at risk of losing millions of dollars in funding to its schools, which will lead to reductions in programs and staffing and an increase in property tax burdens for the families trying to support these students. At the same time, the governor is committing $2.4 billion to New York City for migrants—that money should instead be used to ensure no school districts sees a reduction in their school aid.”
Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C-Merrick) said, “It is unacceptable that the governor has decided to prioritize migrants over our children by giving over $2.4 billion to migrants while at the same time calling to cut Foundation Aid. I am ready to fight to make sure our children receive the proper funding they deserve.”
Assemblyman John McGowan (R,C-Rockland) said, “The governor’s short-sighted proposal to reduce Foundation Aid to certain districts will almost certainly leave those students, faculty and staff at a disadvantage for the following school year. New York’s children work hard, and they deserve to have reliable support in their school days as they continue to excel and prepare themselves for their futures. My colleagues and I agree that if we can afford to send $2.4 billion to fight the migrant crisis in New York City, we should be able to find enough money and ensure our students see the support they deserve; otherwise, maybe the governor should refocus her own priorities.”
Assemblyman John Mikulin (R,C-Bethpage) said, “Prioritizing the education of children across our state, particularly on Long Island, is essential if our state has any hopes of succeeding in the future. The lack of prospects for children is breaking up families, and rather than take action to protect them, the governor is prioritizing migrants. The governor should fund each school district no less than what the school district was funded last year. The fact that there are school districts that will receive a decrease in aid is unacceptable and will cause much hardship to the taxpayers in those districts. We are calling upon the governor to restore these deficiencies.”
Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R,C-Staten Island) said, “Gov. Hochul needs to wake up! At what point will she finally acknowledge that the whole New York state education system is broken and needs revamping? As a father of two children who have gone through the public education system, I know firsthand that it is not meeting the needs of its students. If we were not trying to bail New York City out of their self-imposed migrant crisis, then we would not be trying to harm many school districts across the state.”
Assemblyman Mike Reilly (R,C-Staten Island) said, “The governor has finally acknowledged this state’s spending habits are out of control. In that same breath, she’s willing to spend $2.4 billion to look after New York’s migrants, while reducing the funds for several of New York’s school districts statewide. It’s a move that baffles me as a parent and a taxpayer and frustrates me as a legislator. Even the suggestion that migrants should be taken care of before our children is out of step with what this office and this responsibility means.”
Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C-Ballston) said, “The governor’s proposal to cut Foundation Aid to some schools, especially rural school districts, while continuing to inflate the budget to yet another record high is absurd. I’ve heard from multiple school administrators, those who are actually in the schools with students, and they are sounding the alarm about what the elimination of ‘hold harmless’ will mean for their school districts: cuts to programs, teachers, and staff.”
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