The “hold harmless” provision has been in place for nearly two decades, and—put simply—is there to ensure that school districts do not see a decrease in state educational aid compared to the previous year. Meaning that, if repealed, some school districts would receive smaller increases then they expected, while others—generally smaller, more rural districts—would see actual reductions in their state aid.
The final state budget is due April 1, and as my colleagues and I negotiate what that will include, I am staying firm in my full-throated rejection of the Governor’s short-sighted proposal to slash school aid and eliminate the “hold harmless” provision. Allowing these proposals to move forward could mean million-dollar losses for Orange County schools, and I will stand firm to ensure that does not happen. Greenwood Lake, for example, would see an over 20% reduction in state aid from just last year.
As lawmakers, we have an obligation to do all we can to support our children and our educators, and blocking Governor Hochul’s proposal is a no-brainer. By making further investments in our students—including fighting to make universal pre-k truly universal and providing breakfast and lunch to children at no out-of-pocket cost—we are ensuring every child walks into their classroom on a level playing field: well-fed and ready to learn.
The final state budget will be sweeping in scale, covering a myriad of priorities—roads, public safety, consumer protection, and small businesses support are some among many, many others. I am fighting for the resources we need here in Orange County, and while all these investments will be worthwhile, I believe that an investment in education—and the students of Orange County—will always pay off.
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