ALBANY, N.Y. — Governor Kathy Hochul’s Executive Budget proposal to end “hold harmless” in school funding will not be fully implemented in this year’s budget. Hold harmless prevents school districts from receiving less Foundation Aid than in the previous year.
While plans to update the Foundation Aid formula were discussed by Hochul, the changes are expected to be implemented in next year’s budget. Hochul emphasized the need to address an outdated formula, which she believes has been neglected for years.
Although the state Assembly and Senate did not include the proposal in their budgets, there is acknowledgment that the formula needs updating, albeit with caution to avoid sudden negative impacts on school districts and students.
Lawmakers, including Assemblymember Pat Fahy and State Senator Jim Tedisco, expressed support for taking time to develop a plan to update the formula and stressed the importance of education funding priorities amidst ongoing budget negotiations.