NYSUT President Melinda Person released the following statement in response to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive budget proposal:
“NYSUT applauds Gov. Hochul’s budget proposal, which demonstrates a commitment to New York’s students, educators, public schools and the communities they serve.
She is keeping student mental health a top priority with bell-to-bell restrictions on cellphones and personal devices during the school day. This is the best way to ensure students are able to learn in a distraction-free environment.
We are encouraged to see significant investments in Foundation Aid and a willingness to begin a conversation about updating the formula to better meet the evolving needs of our school communities. This is a complex process that requires careful planning, and it will take longer than a single year for a full modernization with the meaningful updates that our schools deserve.
We are pleased to see a recognition of the value of our public institutions of higher education through millions of dollars in new state support for SUNY and CUNY campuses and dedicated funding to cover free community college for students pursuing high-demand occupations. And we celebrate historic funding for free school meals for every public school student in New York. In one of the wealthiest states in the wealthiest country in the world, our children should not be hungry in school.
New York can provide our students and their families with the support and resources they need to thrive; NYSUT stands ready to work with the governor and the Legislature to make that happen.”
More Information on the executive budget proposal
Executive budget: Proposals show promise
Today Gov. Kathy Hochul released her 2025-26 executive budget, including proposals to fully fund school meals, restrict cellphones in schools, and increase school aid.
Universal school meals
The executive budget proposes $340 million to fund universal free school meals for all districts that participate in the national school meal program.
This means: Free breakfast and lunch for all students regardless of their families’ income, ensuring no student goes hungry at school.
Distraction-free schools
The executive budget proposes $13.5 million for school districts to implement bell-to-bell restrictions on student cellphones and other smart devices, with approved exceptions.
This means: Funding for districts to put locally developed policies into action by Sept.1, 2025.
Foundation Aid
The executive budget proposes a $1.5 billion increase in Foundation Aid and major updates to the funding formula to better reflect the current population of students.
This means: Starting the complex process of updating the formula with measures including replacing the outdated 2000 Census poverty rate and providing additional aid to low-wealth school districts.
Higher education
The executive budget proposes $269 million in new state support for SUNY and CUNY campuses; $100 million in operating support to SUNY Downstate Hospital; and $47 million to cover free community college for students pursuing high-demand occupations.
This means: Recognizing the value of public higher education to our students, our patients and our state economy.
What’s next
The governor’s executive budget proposal is just that – a proposal. Nothing is set in stone until the final budget, due April 1, is enacted by the Legislature. Until then, NYSUT is committed to seeing these promising proposals to fruition. We will also be advocating for funding to fight child poverty, fix Tiers 5 & 6, expand CTE programs, raise the educator tax credit, and more. Stay tuned.