Senate and Assembly Republicans Rally to Keep Education a Priority for Suffolk County

Senator Mario R. Mattera (2nd Senate District) and Senator Anthony Palumbo (1st Senate District) joined with their colleagues Assemblyman Ed Flood (4th Assembly District) and Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (2nd Assembly District and students, teachers, administrators and concerned parents at a rally to call on Governor Hochul to reverse the devastating cuts to Long Island schools that were included in her budget proposal. 

During the rally, the State Legislators took aim at the Governor’s elimination of the “hold harmless” provision, which provides critical stability to local school districts, as a glaring example of Albany’s misplaced priorities. Her $233 billion budget proposal siphons state aid away from local schools while dedicating an additional $2.4 billion in taxpayer dollars earmarked for migrants, bringing the total spending on those entering the country illegally to $4.3 billion over the last two years. As a result, Suffolk County school districts are getting hit with $51 million in school aid loss in the Hochul Budget.

“It is critical that we continue to be vocal with Governor Hochul and I’m proud to stand with my colleagues to provide real solutions that will help our schools, our teachers and our taxpayers. The cuts she is proposing will force our schools to cut services for our children, increase taxes on homeowners and lay off our teachers, administration and staff. We demand that our state does better. Instead of misusing $2.4 billion on her self-created migrant disaster, Governor Hochul should ensure that all of our schools get their fair share and all of our children get the education they deserve,” said Senator Mattera.

“The State Legislature must refocus the State Budget to protect our schools and local taxpayers, especially here in Suffolk. Our students, teachers and school districts should not be punished due to Albany’s failure to stop the migrant crisis. I will continue to stand with the taxpayers, parents, students, and teachers in Suffolk County and fight to fully fund our schools and restore the hold harmless provision in this year’s finalized State Budget,” said Senator Palumbo.

 “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, funding cuts towards security measures, 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,” said Assemblyman Flood.

“While Hochul panders to illegal migrants, she punishes our children by reducing the very school aid they need to succeed in our overtaxed state. Instead of fostering our teachers and students, Hochul and the Legislature chose to remove over $50 million in school aid from Suffolk County schools. Priorities matter, and our priority here today is our children. Albany should take notice, your elected officials here today stand with you, and will continue to fight for what our children deserve,” said Assemblywoman Giglio.

The 2024-25 State Budget is currently being negotiated and is due to be approved by April 1st.

Please click here sign Senator Mattera’s petition to Governor Hochul.