Senator Shelley B. Mayer Statement on Governor Kathy Hochul’s Executive Budget Proposal

“As chair of the Senate Education Committee, the commitment to fully fund Foundation Aid over three years was a major victory for students across New York State in last year’s budget. Thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul for continuing to recognize its importance by including it in her fiscal year 2023 executive budget proposal. Our schools are facing serious challenges that have been brought on and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. All students in our state are entitled to a quality education that prepares them for their future. To ensure this we must seriously address the recruitment and retention of teachers, principals and staff; the mental health of our students; and academic delays. We must also continue to ensure our special education students receive the services they need to thrive. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Governor’s office to move education forward to ensure we address the needs of all students from early childhood programs through post-graduation educational activities."