In January, Governor Kathy Hochul proposed a budget that included devastating cuts to 337 suburban and rural school districts across the state, including $78 million in cuts to 44 Long Island schools. In response to these cuts, Assemblyman Doug Smith, as Ranking Member of the Assembly Education Committee, worked tirelessly to present a plan that would provide $291 Million in additional funding to restore the cuts and ensure a minimum 3% increase in state aid for every school district in the state. This bipartisan plan was supported by both parties in both chambers and formed the basis of the education funding plan within the annual budget priority resolutions adopted by the New York State Assembly and State Senate that kickoff budget negotiations.
However, Smith says despite an overall state budget increase compared to last year’s budget, the final state budget approved by lawmakers, provides a 0% state aid increase to nearly half of school districts in New York State.
Some funding in this year’s enacted budget includes $2.4 Billion for migrants in New York City, $10 Million to construct a Hip Hop Museum, and over a million dollars in additional funding to subsidize the Buffalo Bills.
Assemblyman Doug Smith contends that while the enacted state budget reverses the proposed cuts by Governor Hochul, the failure to provide a minimum increase in state aid to all school districts is deeply concerning, particularly at a time of record inflation, escalating health insurance costs, and ongoing challenges from the pandemic.
“This education budget is a tale of two states,” says Assemblyman Smith. “I am happy that significant funding was added to assist about one-half of our high needs school districts to address critical issues such as learning loss, mental health services, and helping to educate English language learners. However, for several hundred school districts facing similar challenges, this budget represents a loss of student programs and support coupled with higher property taxes to cover operational costs.”
Of particular concern is the provision to develop a new state school aid formula over the next year. Assemblyman Smith warns that if the current budget serves as any indication, there is a genuine concern that this formula could enshrine Governor Hochul’s proposed cuts in state law.
“The withdrawal of state support for high-performing schools in already heavily taxed communities would be a misguided approach,” Assemblyman Doug Smith continued. “Public education represents the gateway to the middle class, and it is essential that the new formula ensures that every child has access to a high-quality education while protecting property taxpayers.”
