State lawmakers prepare to reveal budget proposals

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)— The New York State Senate and Assembly are expected to reveal their one-house budgets on Monday. Senate Majority leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, said earlier this week that it differs from what the Governor has proposed.  

“We are concerned about the education proposals that the governor has put forward,” said Stewart-Cousins. “I think I’ve been very, very clear that because almost half of the school districts in the state will be receiving less funding than they would’ve anticipated. We’re very, very concerned about that.”

The governor proposed allocating $35 billion to education, as well as making a change in the equation that helps determine school aid. Opponents say it will negatively impactrural and suburban schools.

The administration is open to compromise.  

“Amending the formula to provide a meaningful result that the legislative leaders can agree upon— we would be receptive to that, of course,” said Budget Director, Blake Washington.

On Wednesday, a handful Senate Republicans wrote a letter to Stewart-Cousins urging her to adopt some of their priorities. They want her to reject the governor’s plan to alter the school aid formula, as well as the $2.4 billion dollars the governor has proposed for migrants. 

In the Assembly, a spokesperson for Speaker Carl Heastie shared in a statement, “The Assembly Majority’s budget proposal will benefit all New Yorkers and comprehensively address health care, education and host of other priorities.”