May 20, 2026 · ALBANY, NEW YORK · 25,235 words · 28 speakers · 554 segments
The Senate will come to order. I ask everyone to please rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. (Whereupon, the assemblage recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.)
I invite Monsignor Kevin Sullivan, from Church of Our Saviour in New York, New York, to join us. MONSIGNOR SULLIVAN: As we begin this session, let us bow our heads and call to mind, in addition to being in one another's presence, we are in God's holy presence. Almighty God, we ask Your blessing upon this New York State Senate. Bless the work to foster the common good throughout all the counties and communities of New York State. May this body work toward especially the poor and the vulnerable being protected, feeling safe, that they may advance further in their lives. On this day when we recognize the legacy of Dorothy Day, who spent so much time in Staten Island, may her legacy be an inspiration that we all can change and grow, that we are not paralyzed by our past but that we can move in new directions as we open ourselves to growth. And as we see new insights, that we continue to build upon them. May we be like her, passionate and perseverant in commitment to our values and our beliefs. But yet may we draw from her inspiration, be respectful of those with whom we disagree, and not be vitriolic in the way we describe their motives. Almighty God, these days we must ask You to reduce the hate that is in our world. We remember in a special way those who were victims of the shooting in the mosque in San Diego. We remember those who are victims of violence at synagogues in New York and other places. And Almighty God, even though we are in New York State, we ask you to protect those in other countries, Christians in Nigeria and elsewhere. May those who believe in You by whatever name we call You, not use our belief in You to spew hate and divisiveness on others. Safeguard all in New York State: Our long-term residents who for decades and centuries have given so much to build this great state. And also watch over those newcomers, immigrants and refugees, who seek to build a new life here and seek safety. And as we draw to the end of May and the beginning of June, a special blessing of the students of New York State. May this year be finished well. May their summers be times of recreation and refreshment. And Almighty God, we ask Your blessings on all, that we might live worthy of being made in Your image and likeness. And let us all say amen. (Response of "Amen.")
Reading of the Journal.
In Senate, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the Senate met pursuant to adjournment. The Journal of Monday, May 18, 2026, was read and approved. On motion, the Senate adjourned.
Without objection, the Journal stands approved as read. Presentation of petitions. Messages from the Assembly. Messages from the Governor. Reports of standing committees. Reports of select committees. Communications and reports from state officers. Motions and resolutions. Senator Gianaris.
Good afternoon, Mr. President. There will be an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332.
There will be an immediate meeting of the Rules Committee in Room 332.
The Senate will stand at ease.
The Senate will stand at ease. (Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 2:59 p.m.) (Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 3:04 p.m.)
The Senate will return to order. Senator Gianaris.
Mr. President, there's a report of the Rules Committee at the desk. Please take that up at this time.
The Secretary will read.
Senator Stewart-Cousins, from the Committee on Rules, reports the following bill: Senate Print 10544, by Senator Serrano, an act making appropriations for the support of government. The bill reports direct to third reading.
I move to accept the report of the Rules Committee.
All those in favor of accepting the report of the Rules Committee please signify by saying aye. (Response of "Aye.")
Opposed, nay. (Response of "Nay.")
The report of the Rules Committee is accepted. Senator Gianaris.
Please take up the supplemental calendar.
The Secretary will read.
Calendar Number 1283, Senate Print 10544, by Senator Serrano, an act making appropriations for the support of government.
Is there a message of necessity and appropriation at desk?
There is a message of necessity and appropriation at the desk.
I move to accept the message.
All those in favor of accepting the message please signify by saying aye. (Response of "Aye.")
Opposed, nay. (Response of "Nay.")
The message is accepted, and the bill is before the house.
Lay it aside.
The bill will be laid aside. Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of the supplemental calendar.
Please go to the reading of the controversial supplemental calendar.
The Secretary will ring the bell. The Secretary will read.
Calendar Number 1283, Senate Print 10544, by Senator Serrano, an act making appropriations for the support of government.
Senator O'Mara, why do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. Will Senator Serrano yield for some questions on this extender bill?
Yes.
Will Senator Serrano yield? Senator Serrano yields.
Thank you, Senator. On this 14th extender bill on this late budget, how much more are we appropriating and through when?
Through you, Mr. President. Senator O'Mara, this indeed is our 14th extender. It does contain $1.9 billion in additional spending, which brings us to a total of $33.7 billion through these extenders. And it does take us through Tuesday, May 26th.
Thank you, Senator. If the Senator will yield for another question, Mr. President.
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
Senator, do you expect the joint budget conference committees to meet before we take up any of the budget bills?
Through you, Mr. President. Senator O'Mara, things have been certainly moving quickly in the last 48 hours. We are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel for this budget, thankfully. And this budget extender gets us at least to continue the operation of state government while we finalize all of the different items. But as far as the understanding and the discussion around this budget, it has certainly been ongoing. It has been conveyed through media reports, and there's been quite a bit of discussion about all of the different policy items as well as budget items at this point. So certainly this has been widely reported and discussed.
Thank you, Senator. Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The Senator yields.
It's my understanding, Senator, that we have one of the remaining nine budget bills that's in print that we'll be taking up today, and that's the ELFA bill. When will we have the other eight bills?
Through you, Mr. President. You're correct, we do have the ELFA bill ready to go, hopefully today. The other bills, I believe they will be closing down over the next few days. And I suspect that we will begin voting early next week on the remaining bills of this budget.
Thank you. Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
You just said that hopefully we'll be taking up the ELFA bill today. What did that mean?
Okay. Well, until there's a bill in front of me. But yes, I believe we will. I am more than hopeful. I am pretty sure. (Laughter.)
Thank you, Senator. I was pretty sure too. (Laughter.)
But you made me second-think that. Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
Does the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
It was my understanding that there might be a second bill coming, either for a vote today or tomorrow, which in my understanding was going to be PPGG. Where do we stand on that bill?
Through you, Mr. President. We're continuing to close that down. My understanding is that we will hopefully have something to vote on tomorrow for that. But the ELFA bill is certainly ready to go. We can begin with that. So I think we can all hang our hat on the fact that budget bills are coming to us. We will begin, we will have a robust debate and discussion surrounding that bill today. We will be able to really have the opportunity to understand everything that is in that bill and vote on it. And over the next few days, and including next week, we will completely shut down this budget and have everything done.
Thank you. Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
Senator, can you tell us what the open, unresolved issues are for the remaining bills to take up?
Through you, Mr. President. There's been lots of media speculation and reports out there on different issues. And it's been pretty clear that we're coming together and finding cohesion and coalition around those different issues. And I think we are at that point now where we are starting to go to print on all of the remaining issues. I can't really speculate on what the different issues may have been or continue to be at this point, because it is very fluid. But I do feel very confident that we are at the end of that road.
Thank you, Senator. On the bill, Mr. President.
Senator O'Mara on the bill.
You know, it's -- this whole process remains very disconcerting to me, that we're asking specific questions on what issues are unresolved and we're getting responses about things that have been discussed in the media. Well, we're the elected representatives, not the reporters. And we're the ones representing 300-and-some-thousand people each in our districts. And we're not getting answers to these questions on nine remaining budget bills, only one of which we have before us to take up shortly, I believe. And it's just -- it's very unfortunate that this is what this process has devolved to, with no information being shared, apparently even to the Majority members, on where things stand on these issues. And certainly no information being shared to the citizens of New York State on where these -- where this budget process stands, what's actually being discussed. Yet we're going to be presented with bills on 12, 15 hours notice that we're going to be having to vote on here shortly. It's just -- it's the wrong way to be approaching this. And I'm just very concerned with this process. And it's unfortunate for the citizens of New York State that we have to proceed this way. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Senator O'Mara. Are there any other Senators wishing to be heard? Seeing and hearing none, debate is now closed. The Secretary will ring the bell. Read the last section.
Section 15. This act shall take effect immediately.
Call the roll. (The Secretary called the roll.)
Announce the results.
In relation to Calendar 1283, voting in the negative are Senators Rhoads and Weik. Ayes, 59. Nays, 2.
The bill is passed. Senator Gianaris, that completes the controversial calendar.
Okay, now back to motions and resolutions. Let's take up previously adopted Resolution 1493, by Senator Scarcella-Spanton, read its title and call on Senator Scarcella-Spanton, please.
The Secretary will read.
Resolution 1493, by Senator Scarcella-Spanton, commemorating the 45th Anniversary of the death of Dorothy Day, venerable Catholic lay leader, journalist, and cofounder of the Catholic Worker Movement.
Senator Scarcella-Spanton on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. And thank you, Monsignor Sullivan, for that wonderful invocation. Today it's my great privilege to commemorate the life and legacy of Dorothy Day, a woman whose influence stretches far beyond history, beyond the Catholic Church, and beyond the movement that she helped to build. For many of us on Staten Island, Dorothy Day does not feel like a distant figure, she feels like someone who's familiar and personal. I first learned about Dorothy Day years ago when I was a student at St. John Villa Academy, my all-girl Catholic high school. So where else would I be learning, of course. I remember finding her incredibly interesting, but at that stage of my life I mostly knew the version of Dorothy Day that many people know, the broad strokes: The journalist, the activist, the founder of the Catholic Worker, the woman who was discussed in classrooms and books, and the hopefully-one-day saint. Even then, there was always something about her that felt different to me. Perhaps it was because she was not just a historical figure to Staten Islanders, but a person who belonged to the place we all call home. She walked our streets, prayed in our churches, raised her daughter here, spent summers on our beaches, and built a huge part of her life in the neighborhoods that we call home. Over time, I started to realize that Dorothy Day's story was not only about faith and activism, but it was about Staten Island itself, about how our borough shaped the woman who would go on to shape so many others. Right after Thanksgiving last year, I happened to be flipping through the Staten Island Advance and saw there would be a mass held on November 29th, the anniversary of Dorothy Day's death. And something compelled me to attend, so I did. Listening about her story in mass that morning cracked open the desire to learn so much more about her -- not just about the version that we hear, but the woman herself. It led me to meeting Anne-Louise, who we have here today, who got me interested in reading her books and the books her family had written as well. What struck me most was the more I learned about Dorothy Day, the more human she became. Sometimes history gives us a version of a person which is polished and easy to digest, but the story I have learned recently about the woman I admire and hope to see become a saint was not simple at all. From the pages that make her come alive, Dorothy Day was dynamic, passionate, deeply faithful, a person full of conviction, sacrifice, struggle, love -- and my personal favorite, sometimes contradiction. Which who among us isn't? I have become fascinated by the layers and layers of what made Dorothy, Dorothy. I have begun reading the letters she wrote throughout her life, a fascinating journey which further shows how fully human she was -- not untouched by pain or conflict or longing, wrestling with life, wrestling with love, wrestling with sacrifice but finding deep faith through it all, and finding the dignity in all people. Together with Peter Maurin, she helped build the Catholic Worker movement during one of the most difficult parts of American history. What began as a newspaper which sold for a penny became something far greater -- a movement rooted in hospitality, labor rights, and the belief that every human being possesses inherent dignity. Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin challenged people to look directly at poverty, injustice and suffering, not as an abstract political issue but as human realities demanding both compassion and action. What makes her legacy so enduring is that she did not simply write about these ideals, she lived them. She opened homes, shared meals, welcomed strangers, and built a movement centered on the belief that every person matters. The deeper I get into her history, the more I change how I approach my own work and life. She's motivated me to slow down and see the humanity in every constituent case, every interaction, and every person who reaches out for help. In government and public service, as probably all of us in this room know, it is so easy to move on from one issue to the next. But the lessons of Dorothy Day remind us that every issue belongs to a human being. Every call for help belongs to a person carrying burdens we may never fully see. And that perspective has stayed with me deeply. As a mother, Dorothy Day's life speaks in another profound way. I think about what it meant for her to raise her daughter Tamar while serving and sacrificing so much of her herself, while balancing motherhood. Her story is the story of so many women who quietly make sacrifices every day to build a better world around them while trying to be the best mom they can be. That is why Dorothy Day resonates so strongly to so many people. People see themselves in her. She was layered, complex, and deeply human. And today as we commemorate the 45th anniversary of her passing, it is especially meaningful that we are joined by people who continue to carry her legacy forward. I'd like to extend a heartfelt welcome to George Horton and his wife, Carolyn Zablotny. George is the vice postulator of the Dorothy Day Guild. Kevin Ahern, chair of the Dorothy Day Guild, along with his awesome daughter Islay. Islay, hi! Good to see you. And my friend Anne-Louise DePalo, who founded Desert Day House, leading retreats for folks to walk where Dorothy once walked. And while she could not be here today in person because she's with her own grandchildren, which only makes the Dorothy Day family even more relatable, I have been in touch with her granddaughter Martha, who I've had the privilege of speaking with over the last few weeks as this special day came together. For Martha, when you see this, your grandmother's life continues to inspire people in ways that are deeply personal and transformative. Thank you for sharing your grandmother with us today and for allowing me to have the privilege of recognizing her on the Senate floor. I pray soon we will have St. Dorothy Day and her legacy will continue to shape the world for generations to come, especially on Staten Island. Thank you. I proudly vote aye.
Thank you, Senator. Senator Ramos on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. You know, there's a photo of Dorothy Day hanging in my dining room. I keep it there not as decoration but as a reminder to my children, to my family, and sometimes even to myself, as we eat, that we have a responsibility to those who have less than we do. And Dorothy Day understood that responsibility deeply. Through the Catholic Worker movement she built something rooted in a radical but simple idea: Human dignity isn't conditional -- not on immigration status, not on wealth, not on whether society considers someone important. She believed faith has to be lived. And Dorothy Day believed that if we claim to see Jesus in scripture, then we should also be able to see him in the hungry, the worker, the immigrant, the unhoused, and the person society has decided to overlook. She believed faith was not about power or performance, it's about how we treat people. In soup kitchens, in shelters, on picket lines with workers, alongside farmworkers demanding dignity and fair treatment. She understood that poverty is not a personal failure, it's a societal responsibility. And she understood that compassion without material change is just performance. Dorothy Day once said "We love God as much as the person we love the least." At a time when too many working families are struggling to afford housing, food, healthcare and stability, Dorothy Day reminds us that justice is not abstract. It's whether workers are treated with dignity, whether children go hungry, whether the poor are seen as burdens or as human beings deserving of care. And as lawmakers, that challenge belongs to us too. Because values only matter if they shape how we govern. In the work I've tried to do for farmworkers, domestic workers, underpaid workers, immigrant workers and families struggling to stay afloat in New York, I often think about people like Dorothy Day who understood that dignity must be protected not only through charity, but through justice. Not only through kindness, but through systems that value human beings. She didn't separate faith from public life. She brought moral clarity into public life. And in moments like this, I think we are called to do the same. So today we honor Dorothy Day not only for what she believed, but for how she lived -- with humility, with courage, and with a relentless commitment to human dignity. I want to thank Senator Scarcella-Spanton for highlighting one of the greatest New Yorkers who has ever lived. Thank you.
Thank you, Senator Ramos. Senator May on the resolution.
Thank you, Mr. President. And I also want to thank Senator Scarcella-Spanton and Senator Ramos for your words, and the family of Dorothy Day for sharing her with the world. In Syracuse is a place where Dorothy Day came often. She worked with the Berrigan brothers in the Catholic Worker Movement. And her legacy lives on in a not-for-profit known as Friends of Dorothy in Syracuse, which is run by two men, Michael DeSalvo and Nick Orth, who started in 1992 opening their home to men who were dying of AIDS and whose families had turned their backs on them, who struggled to find hospice care or anyone who would care for them. And Michael and Nick have continued caring for people at the end of their lives who were outcast in various ways from society, for 34 years. It is a remarkable organization inspired by a remarkable woman. And I lift them up today as well as this entire movement that, as Senator Ramos said, is for people who are otherwise left in the shadows and don't have the support that they need. So I proudly vote aye on this resolution. Thank you.
Thank you, Senator May. The resolution was adopted on January 28th. Senator -- and before we go to our Senator, to our guests, I welcome you on behalf of the Senate. We extend to you the privileges and courtesies of this house. Please rise and be recognized. (Standing ovation.)
Senator Gianaris.
Please recognize Senator Skoufis for an introduction.
Senator Skoufis for an introduction.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. In the event that my many constituents in the gallery are not keeping their eyes glued to Channels 83 or 108 when they're back home and watching us, they got a real treat really watching democracy in action just before, as we passed our latest budget extender. But today is one of my favorite days of spring during legislative session, a day where each year I get to invite and welcome the valedictorians and salutatorians from the dozen high schools in the 42nd Senate District. There's some extra brain power in the chamber today. And as we all know, it takes a great deal of dedication, fortitude -- yes, of course, academic talent -- in order to rise to one of the two highest ranks of their graduating classes. But they go beyond academic success, to a person. They're leaders in their schools and communities; they're members of various service organizations, and active participants in clubs and musical groups, sports, athletics, and the list goes on and on. Many of them -- there are 20 students with us today. Many of them are here with their parents. And certainly behind every great student are great parents or caretakers. And so I welcome and congratulate them as well. And whether upon graduation they're going off to college or the military or for some period of time traveling, I wish them nothing but continued success, and the best. And it's a privilege to be able to represent them. And most importantly from my perspective, I hope they either stay or return to New York where their talents and their expertise are so desperately needed. With that all said, I do want to acknowledge the 20 students who are here for the Senate record. From Cornwall Central High School, my hometown, we have Marisa Barnsby and Slav Mishkovski. From George F. Baker High School, Kayleigh Donnelly and Logan Saari-Poznanski. From Goshen Central High School, we have Mehri Ghezel-Ayagh and Dalton Fortugno-Harris. From Middletown High School, we have Matthew MacKay and Renata Rugerio. From Minisink Valley High School, we have Conner Doane and Colin Hansen. From my alma mater, Monroe-Woodbury High School, we have Prasad Saha and Luka Joncic. From Pine Bush High School, we have Lucas Meisel and Leah Meberg. From Port Jervis High School, we have Michelle Gimena and Kayleigh Wright. From S.S. Seward Institute, the valedictorian there is Alexander Vargas. From Warwick Valley High School, the salutatorian is Nathan Link. And from Washingtonville High School, we have Joseph Mullan and Caroline Korba. It's a privilege to represent these extraordinary constituents. And Mr. President, if you could please afford them the privileges and cordialities of the floor.
Thank you, Senator Skoufis. To our extraordinary students who are joining us today, I welcome you on behalf of the Senate. We extend to you the privileges and courtesies of this house. Please rise and be recognized. (Standing ovation.)
Senator Gianaris.
Please recognize Senator Jackson.
Senator Jackson for an introduction.
Good afternoon, everyone. I'm State Senator Robert Jackson from the 31st Senatorial District in Northern Manhattan in the Northwest Bronx, and I'm here with approximately 25 students, high school students from Yeshiva University Civic Education Day. And so I had the opportunity to go upstairs while they were waiting to come in, and we shook hands and took pictures. And they were very, very pleased to be here in the Capitol with us, knowing that they were going to be watching democracy in action. And so this is democracy, whether you agree or disagree, whether it's -- you're right or you're wrong. But this is what we do here in the State Senate. So to the students from Yeshiva University Civic Education Day, I welcome you to the State Senate and I ask the chair to please give them the courtesy of the house. And thank you.
Thank you, Senator Jackson. To our students, I welcome you on behalf of the Senate. We extend to you the privileges and courtesies of this house. Please rise and be recognized. (Standing ovation.)
Senator Gianaris.
Thank you, Madam President. At this time let's take up previously adopted Resolution 1939, by Senator Cooney, read that resolution's title and recognize Senator Cooney, please.
The Secretary will read.
Resolution 1939, by Senator Cooney, mourning the death of Freddi Macek, distinguished citizen and devoted member of her community.
Senator Cooney on the resolution.
Thank you, Madam President. I'm so grateful for this opportunity to honor my friend and a friend of so many: Freddi Macek, who sadly passed away last November. For those who knew Freddi, they knew her passion, her endless determination, her humor, and her commitment to students and workers alike. I'd like to extend a warm welcome to members of Freddi's union family who join us here today, those who stood beside her in the work she cared so deeply about: Maria Fisher, representing AFSCME, along with Brian McDonald from AFSCME. Eddie Santiago, from IAFF. And Kevin Eitzmann, from the State AFL-CIO. Thank you for being here to acknowledge Freddi's lasting impact and legacy, as she leaves, with the labor community. Freddi spent over three decades as a second-grade teacher in the Rochester City School District, my alma mater, shaping the leaders of tomorrow and instilling a love of learning in each generation. The impact she had on these students is truly immeasurable. Her support, her care and expertise could always be felt with each class and with each individual student. But what made Freddi so special is that her passion didn't end at the classroom door. She was a fierce union advocate, fighting for a better quality of life for her fellow instructors. Through the Rochester Teachers Association and NYSUT, Freddi embodied what it means to be union strong. And she never truly slowed down. Even in her eighties, Freddi remained involved in community organizing. It was this boundless passion that served as an inspiration to so many. And while her loss has been felt community-wide, her legacy will continue on in every student, friend, neighbor, and loved one she had the privilege of knowing. And we had the privilege of knowing her. It's my great honor to be able to recognize her today and to show her the appreciation from a state that deserved a union leader, a teacher, and a friend to so many. Madam President, I vote aye.
Thank you, Senator Cooney. To our guests from the union family of Freddi Macek, we welcome you. We acknowledge her. We cherish her memory and her work. We appreciate you being here in her memory, and we will keep it alive. Please rise and be recognized. (Standing ovation.)
The resolution was previously adopted on April 28th. Senator Gianaris.
Please recognize Senator Weber for an introduction.
Senator Weber for an introduction.
Good afternoon, Madam President. Today it's my great honor to rise and welcome a very special group of guests here in the gallery. And we recognize the growing contributions, culture, and heritage of the Indian American community across the State of New York. As many of our colleagues know, August has been officially recognized as Indian American Heritage Month here in New York State, a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the history, tradition, achievements and enduring impact of Indian Americans in every corner of our state. I especially want to thank Dr. Aney Paul for once again organizing this trip to Albany. Year after year, Dr. Paul, who's also a Rockland County legislator, has helped strengthen the connection between communities across New York State and their state government, while also reminding all of us of the importance of civic engagement, cultural understanding, and public service. We are grateful for your leadership and dedication. I also want to acknowledge the leaders of the outstanding organizations represented here today. From the Rockland Indian Cultural Heritage and Arts Awareness Club, we have Shaimi Jacob. It's nice to see you, Shaimi. How are you? Representing the Hudson Valley Malayalee Association, we're joined by my good friends Noah George and Paul Karukappillil. The Indian Cultural Society of Rockland's president, Suresh Iyer, is also here as well. The chairman and founders of Jeevan Jyoti: Suresh and Mamta Arya. And finally, members of the Albany AAPI, and the World Yoga Community. So many great friends are here today that I would like to recognize them. It's great that you're here today. You know, each of these organizations plays an important role in preserving traditions, supporting families, promoting education, encouraging cultural exchange and building stronger communities throughout our state. I'm especially proud to represent Rockland County, one of the most culturally diverse counties anywhere in New York State. That diversity is truly one of our greatest strengths. Throughout the year I have the privilege of attending so many wonderful Indian American events in my district, from cultural festivals and holiday celebrations to community gatherings, educational programs, and charitable events. Every one of those experiences reflects the incredible warmth, generosity, and spirit of service that defines the community. Whether it's celebrating Diwali, participating in cultural performances, enjoying incredible food that I've gotten to really like, or simply spending time with family and community members, I'm always reminded how fortunate we are to live in a place where so many cultures come together while we still proudly preserve their unique identities and traditions. The Indian American community has contributed enormously and continues to contribute enormously to New York in business, in medicine, education, technology, public service, the arts, and countless other fields. But just as importantly, this community continues to strengthen the social fabric of our neighborhoods through volunteerism, faith, family values and civic participation. So today, on behalf of the New York State Senate, I extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to all the guests that are here today. Thank you for being with us here. Thank you for all that you do for our communities. And thank you for helping make New York a richer and more vibrant state. Madam President -- oh, Mr. President, sorry. You changed. Please extend to the guests here today all the cordialities of this great esteemed body. Thank you.
Thank you, Senator Weber. To our Indian American guests, I welcome you on behalf of the Senate. We extend to you the privileges and courtesies of this house. Please rise and be recognized. (Standing ovation.)
Senator Gianaris.
Mr. President, at this time there will be an immediate meeting of the Finance Committee in Room 332.
There will be an immediate meeting of the Finance Committee in Room 332.
The Senate will stand at ease.
The Senate will stand at ease. (Whereupon, the Senate stood at ease at 3:38 p.m.) (Whereupon, the Senate reconvened at 3:47 p.m.)
The Senate will return to order. Senator Gianaris.
Mr. President, there's a report of the Finance Committee at the desk. Please take that up.
The Secretary will read.
Senator Krueger, from the Committee on Finance, reports the following bill: Senate Print 9006C, Budget Bill, an act to amend the Education Law. The bill reports direct to third reading.
Move to accept the report of the Finance Committee.
All those in favor of accepting the report of the Finance Committee please signify by saying aye. (Response of "Aye.")
Opposed, nay. (No response.)
The report of the Finance Committee is accepted. Senator Gianaris.
Please take up the supplemental calendar.
The Secretary will read. There is a substitution at the desk. The Secretary will read.
Senator Serrano moves to discharge, from the Committee on Finance, Assembly Bill Number 10006C and substitute it for the identical Senate Bill 9006C, Third Reading Calendar 1284.
Is there a message of necessity at the desk?
The substitution is so ordered. The Secretary will read.
Oh, sorry.
There is a message of necessity at the desk.
I move to accept the message.
Calendar Number 1284, Assembly Bill Number 10006C, Budget Bill, an act to amend the Education Law.
There is a message of necessity at the desk.
Thank you. I move to accept the message.
All those in favor of accepting the message please signify by saying aye. (Response of "Aye.")
Opposed, nay. (Response of "Nay.")
The message is accepted. The bill is before the house.
Lay it aside.
The bill will be laid aside. Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of the supplemental calendar.
Please take up the controversial calendar.
The Secretary will ring the bell. The Secretary will read.
Calendar Number 1284, Assembly Bill Number 10006C, Budget Bill, an act to amend the Education Law.
Senator Lanza, why do you rise?
Mr. President, I believe there's an amendment at the desk. I waive the reading of that amendment and ask that you recognize Senator Borrello.
Thank you, Senator Lanza. Upon review of the amendment, in accordance with Rule 6, Section 4B, I rule it nongermane and out of order.
Accordingly, Mr. President, I appeal the ruling of the chair and ask that Senator Borrello be heard on that appeal.
The appeal has been made and recognized, and Senator Borrello may be heard.
Thank you, Mr. President. Well, we have a unique opportunity at this moment. So we have before us a budget bill that I am told, if it passes, will extend the electric school bus mandate for five years. So what my amendment will do is it will include a NYSERDA study on the effectiveness of electric school buses. So if we're going to take five years and we're going to delay it, let's actually make sure we do something productive in that five years to ensure that this truly will work, and where it will work and where it won't work. So this is very germane to this budget bill because it's indeed about adding some substance to this five-year delay on this EV school bus mandate. So, Mr. President, I would certainly love to have this ruled germane so that we can move forward productively with this delivery in the electric school bus mandate.
Thank you, Senator Borrello. I want to remind the house that the vote is on the procedures of the house and the ruling of the chair. Those in favor of overruling the chair, signify by saying aye. (Response of "Aye.")
Show of hands.
A show of hands has been requested and so ordered. Announce the results.
Ayes, 22.
The ruling of the chair stands, and the bill-in-chief is before the house.
Mr. President.
Senator Gianaris.
As we begin debate on this bill, I would ask my colleagues in the Minority to identify the part of the bill that they intend to debate as they get up. In the absence of Senator Krueger, we will have various members defending the bill, and it would be helpful to move things along if we know which part is being debated. Thank you.
Senator O'Mara, why do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I have some questions on the financial plan.
Senator Liu will address those questions, Mr. President.
Senator Liu, do you yield?
I do yield.
The sponsor yields.
Thank you, Senator. Good afternoon. We have a financial plan before us that was handed up at some point last night. It shows an increase in state funds in this budget by 8.5 percent, with total State Operating Funds being $161.4 billion. Do we have the revenue bill before us in this house?
Through you, Mr. President, we don't have the revenue bill yet, but it is expected to be finalized by the middle of next week.
Thank you, Mr. President. If the Senator will continue to yield.
Does the sponsor yield?
Yes, I do, Mr. President.
The sponsor yields.
Senator, the All Funds budget at this point is $268 billion in this budget, up nearly 4 percent from last year. Can you explain the sources of revenue that we're going to be collecting, ultimately through the revenue bill, which is the major part of this budget?
Through you, Mr. President. The Senator is right, and it's a 3.8 percent increase over fiscal '26. And the tax receipts are also expected to increase commensurately, so that we have more or less a balanced budget. To answer your question, most of the tax growth comes from economic growth.
Thank you. Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes, I do.
The Senator yields.
Since we're predicting an over 6 percent increase in tax revenues in this financial plan, does that indicate the economy in the State of New York is doing fairly well?
Through you, Mr. President. Yes, it does. In fact, you may recall the end of calendar year 2025, just a few months ago, revenues came in $4 billion ahead of what was expected at the time.
Thank you, Senator. Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
Does the sponsor yield?
Yes, I do.
The sponsor yields.
With the taxes anticipated to raise -- tax collections anticipated to raise by over 6 percent this coming year, the increase in the State Operating Funds part of this budget is an 8.5 percent increase. Can you explain how or why the growth of State Operating Funds disbursements is outpacing the growth of the tax revenue increase? (Pause.)
Through you, Mr. President. Part of the -- a large amount of the growth in spending ahead of the growth in revenues is the fact that we do have to make up for many of the federal cuts that have been imposed upon our state. And as you know, we try to help our fellow New Yorkers who have been hurt by the federal budget cuts.
Thank you, Senator. Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
Does the sponsor yield?
Yes, I do.
The sponsor yields.
While the State Operating Funds budget is expected to grow 8.5 percent in this budget, over the last two years it's grown 21 percent, far outpacing inflation and certainly far outpacing any federal cuts that have happened. So, you know, we keep a 2 percent tax cap on all our local governments and school districts, yet here we exceed that 2 percent with a 21 percent increase in state operating spending over a two-year period. How can we justify that?
Through you, Mr. President. The expenditures have risen, but so have our overall receipts, to the point we have more or less a balanced budget like we had in past years. And a great deal of the revenue increase is because of a robust economy. Notwithstanding the dire predictions of forecasters from years past, the state economy continues to bring in those tax revenues.
Thank you. Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes, I do.
The Senator yields.
But yet, Senator, we're expected to start voting on this first of the remaining nine budget bills today without having a revenue plan in place -- at least the budget in place. Should we be proceeding with this budget without having all components of it put together and have a whole budget for us to be considering as a whole? Because the individual pieces all need to add up to this amount in the financial plan. Yet we only have one of those budget Bills before us today. How can we responsibly be proceeding with votes on this bill?
Through you, Mr. President. Although we may not have the details that will be spelled out in the revenue bill, we do know what the revenues are going to be. I believe we're looking at the same chart. So the revenues are going to be sufficient to fund the expenditures that we're expecting for fiscal year 2027. And this is also in line with past practice. This is not the first year that we'll be voting on some of the budget bills prior to the finalization of the revenue bill.
Thank you, Senator. Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes, I do.
The sponsor yields.
I'm always amused by the argument that that's the way we've always done it, so let's continue to do it that way. We did it that way when we were in the majority. You didn't like it. You're doing it that way when you're in the majority. We don't like it. I didn't like it then, I don't like it now. I don't think it's responsible government. Yet the spending continues to go up astronomically. Can you tell us, Senator, what revenue -- what taxes are being increased to help generate the revenue to support this budget?
Through you, Mr. President. There are no significant increases in tax rates levied at the state level. A lot of it has been driven by economic growth. Some people will credit a strong Wall Street environment for that. But that reflects the overall state of our New York economy. And so that's what's been driving the increases in tax revenues.
Thank you, Senator. Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes, I do, Mr. President.
The sponsor yields.
What insignificant tax increases can you tell us are going to be included in this budget?
Through you, Mr. President, there are no tax rate increases. Revenue increases, yes, but not increases in rates. And no new taxes that I can recall off the top of my head. There may be some minor fee increases that I don't recall right now. We can get you a list of those a little bit later. But really the answer to your question is no new taxes.
Thank you. Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes, sir.
The sponsor yields.
Will there be any personal income tax rate reductions coming forth?
Through you, Mr. President, no.
Thank you. Through you, Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
With increasing revenues due to the economy humming along and Wall Street doing well, we have the revenues, we have the resources. So your side of the aisle thinks it's better to just spend all that money rather than giving maybe a tax break to New Yorkers?
Through you, Mr. President. We are stepping up to help fellow New Yorkers that were hurt by H.R. 1, the federal tax bill that was passed last year. And that tax bill actually gave many New Yorkers a substantial tax break. So if you look at the overall tax burden of New Yorkers, that's decreased for many of the highest-income New Yorkers. We haven't increased tax rates for New Yorkers in this budget. We don't plan to do so. And the -- could we have offered additional tax breaks? That would have been difficult, given that the federal budget already imposed huge burdens on our New York budget in our desire to take care of fellow New Yorkers.
Thank you, Senator. Mr. President, if the Senator would continue to yield.
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes, I do.
The sponsor yields.
The overall concerns we continue to hear over and over again are the cuts of the federal government. The cuts, at least according to this financial plan, are expected to be about $7 billion, yet we're increasing spending by 13 or 14 billion dollars from last year. So those federal cuts don't seem to be impacting our overall budget and ability to provide for New Yorkers. And we have increased revenues coming, yet we're giving no tax breaks to any New Yorkers. So I still don't see how we justify not providing some relief, and way outpacing a 2 percent growth in this. But to move on in the financial plan -- and it's not in here, but what are the projected outyear gaps based on the structure of this budget we're proceeding with? (Pause.)
Through you, Mr. President. I don't have the outyear budget gaps, but they're similar to the amounts presented in the Executive Budget. But they'll be at least a couple of billion dollars.
Through you, Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
Does the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
There will be at least a couple of billion dollars? I mean, in prior years we were looking at 20 to 30 billion dollars in outyear gaps. So has that been closed?
Through you, Mr. President. They have not been closed. They are going to be similar to what they are as presented in the Executive Budget. Perhaps we can get a copy of that shortly.
Do you have those or you don't have those?
I don't have them on hand. But why don't we get a copy of them real quick.
Okay. I'll move on, then. Thank you, Senator. Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
Senator, what is the expected cost of the reforms being considered to Tier 6?
Through you, Mr. President, the Tier 6 negotiations or negotiations to amend Tier 6 are still underway.
Through you, Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
Does the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The Senator yields.
It's difficult to debate this budget with eight of nine budget bills not being in front of us or in print, or these decisions having been made. So that's concerning with moving forward at this point. Can you tell us, Senator, we're passing -- we're moving this bill today with a message of necessity, a bill that was introduced later last night. The Constitution requires three days waiting period. We don't have eight of the nine remaining budget bills. What is the rush to get this bill done today that we couldn't wait the constitutionally mandated three-day waiting period?
Through you, Mr. President, we're trying to get the budget done as expediently as possible. And in particular, this budget bill includes the funding for our public schools throughout the State of New York. And as you are likely aware, many of our school districts, they need their numbers. They need their numbers as soon as possible. So this is an urgent matter.
Through you, Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
Senator, our school districts needed a budget before yesterday, when all their budgets went to vote. And so voters and school districts blindly put forth a budget and went to vote on a budget not knowing what that school aid was going to be. While we now have school runs today, when were those school runs actually determined?
Through you, Mr. President. I'm not exactly sure when the State Education Department delivered the school runs. But those school -- the results of those school runs are reflected in this particular budget.
Through you, Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
Does the sponsor yield?
Yes, I do, Mr. President.
The sponsor yields.
Since the main thing in this first bill of ELFA is the local school aid that's in there, and really not a whole lot else in this budget bill before us, why couldn't or why shouldn't that have been done weeks ago? We're nearly eight weeks late on this the budget at this point, and we will be next week. We just did an extender into next week. So I don't see the urgency of having to pass this today with a message of necessity when we've extended the operations of government into next week. Do you, Senator, expect that we're going to get the remaining eight budget bills later today and expected to vote on them throughout the weekend?
Through you, Mr. President, I don't expect that we'll be voting throughout this important Memorial Day weekend. There's some expectation that one other budget bill may come before the weekend. And then we will finish the remaining bills next week.
Thank you, Mr. President. If the Senator will continue to yield.
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes, I do.
The Senator yields.
So at best, we might get through two of the nine remaining budget bills before the weekend. I see no reason why these, since the school budget votes have already been taken, why these couldn't be held for the three-day waiting period to get feedback from our constituents on this. It really makes no sense. You know, as of -- can you tell me, Senator, as of about this time yesterday afternoon, around 3:30 or so -- and it's a little after 4:00 right now today -- the word from the majorities in the Legislature were there weren't going to be any budget bills this week, we'd be doing them next week. And then I guess the Governor pitched a fit and now, today, we miraculously came up with one budget bill to move forward and maybe two bill before this weekend, yet we're still proceeding with a message of necessity. What is the urgency to move on this today? Because the Governor wanted it done today?
Through you, Mr. President. As you know, Senator, sometimes we -- oftentimes, things happen a little bit later than we expect. In this case, surprisingly, pleasantly so, we're able to move quicker than was expected yesterday. And I for one am glad we're moving ahead with this. Your continuing question of the need for the message of necessity -- again, we want to get this done as quickly as possible. Getting this bill out of the way frees us up to finalizing and voting on the remaining bills.
Through you, Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield.
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
Senator, once this bill, this ELFA bill was put into print last night, that was set. And you can move on to working on the other eight budget bills and wait the three days to take that bill up so that we would meet the constitutional requirements of a three-day waiting period. It just makes sense to me to be moving forward with this. Senator, thank you for your answers to the questions. And just on the bill briefly --
Senator O'Mara on the bill.
-- Mr. President. I believe we're premature in bringing this bill up. We should have a complete budget before us, every aspect of it, not moving parts. Voting on a massive amount of spending for education without even having a revenue plan -- and the revenue bill, as far as where these -- how these revenues are going to be produced, and the other spending areas of the budget, it's a piecemeal. And clearly we're not going to have the rest of the budget bills completed before this weekend, a holiday weekend. We'll be into next week. There's no reason that we couldn't and that we shouldn't be waiting the constitutionally required three days just so somebody can say we got the budget process started and we passed a bill by this date. It's by no means a complete budget. This is -- continues to be bad government. The increases in this spending continue to be astronomical, with a 21 percent increase in State Operating Funds, the increase in the last two years far outpacing inflation. The other side of the aisle continues to complain about the federal government and the impacts that it has, yet the spending continues to go through the roof unabated. The spending increases are far greater than whatever cuts have been proposed by the federal government that may or may not come forth. Those remain to be seen. And this is not a sustainable budget, a sustainable spending plan. It continues to go up, far exceeding the 2 percent increases that we require every other local government in this state, and school district, to abide by, or require a 60 percent vote of that, which is not a requirement here. We need 51 percent. It is just spending out of control, spending that is higher, far higher than states larger than the State of New York. It is just -- I don't see how it keeps going without imploding on New Yorkers. And I think that's why we're seeing the exodus of people from New York fleeing to these other states that are now larger than us. We continue to rely on significant revenues from Wall Street, which is a great industry in this state that we seem to be doing everything we possibly can to run it out. We're hearing from the leaders of those major institutions of the efforts underway and the expansion that they're having in other states, particularly Texas and Florida -- that that revenue source is going to dwindle and it's going to dry up, and it's going to be a major catastrophe for this state because we have no control over the unabated spending in this state, and providing no relief to New York State taxpayers. When affordability is the buzzword of the day, nothing, not one tax decrease in this budget that we've seen so far. Eight bills remain to come. I won't hold my breath to see them in there. But this -- to complain, you know, about the federal government over and over and over, yet continually outpace increases in spending by whatever cuts there will or might possibly be coming, we continue to outspend those with no concern for that whatsoever. So, Mr. President, thank you.
Senator Borrello, why do you rise?
Mr. President, I have questions on Part A, school aid, specifically dealing with the delay of the zero-emission bus mandate.
Mr. President, that would be Senator Mayer.
Senator Mayer, do you yield for questions?
Yes, I do.
The sponsor yields.
All right, thank you. I didn't have to ask that time. Thank you. So, Senator Mayer, it says that we're going to extend this mandate. I think we've all heard from our school districts this is unworkable, it's a huge unfunded mandate, perhaps the biggest we've ever laid upon a school. But the question is, why five years? What's the significance of delaying it five years?
Through you, Mr. President, this is actually a very significant victory for the school community. Many of them expressed strong reservations and concerns. This just delays the bus requirement for purchasing or leasing to July 1, 2032, and the deadline by which schools may only operate or maintain to July 1, 2040. So we have a substantial amount of time ahead of us, and we're confident that many schools have already started this process and others will continue to. And five years is a very reasonable amount of time, coupled with the other kinds of provisions we have enacted which reflect concerns by school districts.
Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield?
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
Well, so I guess I'm -- you know, five years was just an arbitrary number that you feel that -- you think in five years, for example, that these school buses will be cheaper or they'll be, you know, better or they'll be able to last longer, they'll be able to last in our upstate cold winters without having to turn the heat off, like the reports we heard? Do you think in five years -- have you been assured that the technology is going to improve that much in the next five years that we won't have the problems that we're seeing right now?
Through you, Mr. President. My colleague is throwing sort of every complaint about electric school buses. Let me start by saying that we in the Majority are committed to the transition to a clean energy economy. When we passed this in the '22-'23 budget we thought the amount of time was reasonable. We put a good deal of money in there, including in the Bond Act and other provisions. We've now put additional funds in there. We've worked closely with the school community. And we're confident that within the five-year extension both for the purchase and the operation of electric school buses, that schools will be able to meet this deadline, and it will protect both the children and the staff of the schools.
Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield?
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
So you brought up funding. I think you're well aware that these electric school buses themselves are much more expensive, about triple the price of a traditional gas or diesel school bus. And that doesn't include the cost of infrastructure. Some of the rural school districts that I represent are telling me that it's going to be hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars to upgrade their infrastructure. And because of all of the green energy mandates, the actual ability to deliver those infrastructure improvements could be three or five years out. But let's just stay focused on the cost first. Is there additional funding in this budget so that they can actually execute this? Because as far as I know, it's about an eight to $10 billion delta, upside down, how much more it will cost for an electric school bus than for gas or diesel, and we've only provided less than a billion so far. So how are we going to make up that delta?
Through you, Mr. President. First place, let me just remind my colleague we passed the Environment Bond Act and allocated 500 million. Last year in the Sustainable Futures Fund, we put in another hundred million. At the time the bill was enacted, there was federal money which was used by all the school districts. In addition, NYSERDA provides the money for the study. So we're confident with that, and hopefully additional money in the Sustainable Futures fund this year, as well as other provisions, that there will be the funding as well as the safety needed to achieve this goal. And we feel quite confident about that.
Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield?
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
So, yeah, the federal money was a one-time thing. That's gone. I think we're looking at, you know, roughly about a billion or so dollars that you've said was allocated by the state. So are you going to assure our school districts now that that additional we'll call it 7 to 9 billion dollars will not be an unfunded mandate on our school taxpayers?
Well, through you, Mr. President, let me just add to that. When you purchase a school bus or you engage in transportation costs, they are reimbursed by the State Education Department at the ratio. We have also added reimbursement for additional infrastructure costs associated with electric school buses. So in addition to the funds I described, there is an ongoing reimbursement for the cost of buses for every district, depending on their reimbursement methodology.
Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield.
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
Well, if that was always the case, then why have we heard from literally every school district that this is going to be devastating for their budgets? If that was all enough, then why would we have this amazing outcry across the state from school districts that it's just not enough? I mean, you're saying that there's money there and it should be fine. But it's not fine, right?
Through you, Mr. President. I would point out when the state enacts a law that requires schools to do something that is not 100 percent reimbursed by the state, of course schools complain. Whether it's full-day pre-K, the cost of educating a student, which is also dependent on property tax revenue, New York State does not pay 100 percent of every educational cost. Our system is built on a rubric of state funds, where there are federal funds, and as well as property taxes. So I'm confident that schools will have the funding from a variety of sources to meet this requirement in the extended period of time which, as I note, is a long way in the future.
Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield?
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
I think now on two occasions I've tried to attach an amendment to force a study. I think there's very little we do in the state that we don't study first, like almost nothing -- except for this. So will this also include in this five years, this long time that we have, a study to determine whether or not this is feasible everywhere in New York State?
Through you, Mr. President. No, there's not a provision about a study in here. There are a number of studies done, both on schools and on other buses that are in sync with the arguments that I am saying here that are in the bill we're enacting today.
Mr. President, on the bill.
Senator Borrello on the bill.
Senator Mayer, thank you. You know, obviously we welcome this extension, this delay. And quite frankly, it's because of the advocacy of myself and my colleagues on this side of the aisle that has really brought this forward and made it part of the conversation. But you know what? Back in 2019 all those mandates of the CLCPA seemed like they were a long way away. And all of a sudden they're here. So to say that all of a sudden something is going to change in five years, unless we do something to make it change, I don't know that it's going to happen. I mean, when the government mandates something, when the government says you have to buy something, when does it ever make it cheaper or better? The government mandates we have to have car insurance in New York State. We have the most expensive car insurance in America, because you have to have it. We already have a backlog of these electric school buses here and in other states across the state. They can't produce them fast enough. Apparently the Chinese can't get the batteries here fast enough. But my point is, when we mandate this, whether it's 2027, whether it's 2030, whether it's 2035, whether it's 2040, we haven't done a thing to ensure that this is actually going to be feasible and cost-effective and, most importantly, safe for our children. So I welcome this. But I hope that in five years, the additional five years that we're giving, this longer runway that the Governor likes to talk about, we're actually going to do something productive and effective to ensure that this is actually going to be feasible and practical and affordable for the people of New York State. "Affordable" is a word that gets thrown around in this chamber a lot. This is not affordable, and it may not be even with a five-year-longer runway. So Mr. President, I'm supportive of this idea but still skeptical. Thank you.
Senator Chan, why do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I was hoping to ask some questions on Part B, evidence-based math instruction.
Mr. President, Part B is also Senator Mayer.
Senator Mayer, would you yield for a question?
Yes, I do.
The sponsor yields.
Thank you, Senator. Can you define "evidence-based math instruction"? What is it?
Through you, Mr. President. What is in this bill is a requirement that the State Education Department provide school districts with evidence-based instructional best practices for numeracy and the teaching of math for students in Grades K-5 by January 1, 2027. The bill defers to the State Education Department, which is the expert on issues of model curriculum and best practices, to come up with these materials.
And through you, Mr. President, will the Senator continue to yield?
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
Thank you. So is this a whole new curriculum that the teachers must relearn and apply into teaching their students?
Through you, Mr. President. As I believe my colleague knows, curriculum is driven at the local level. The State Education Department provides guidelines and guidance for schools. This bill provides that by September 1, 2027, districts must verify that their curriculum and instructional practices for teaching math from kindergarten through five align with the best practices provided by the SED. So it's not a curriculum mandate. There's going to be best practices drafted by the State Education Department, and schools are going to have to assess that they align with those best practices.
Through you, Mr. President, will the Senator continue to yield?
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
Okay. So between the years 2014 and 2024 I was a school volunteer for that period of 10 years in two schools. One is a local zone school and the other one is a screened-in middle school. In fact, the elapsed time that I worked in these two schools is 13 years. In that time I saw the schools, both schools, transition from Go Math to Eureka Math to I-Ready -- which, by the way, I-Ready and Illustrative Math, these latter two identifies a student's weakness and vulnerabilities and provides a personalized online lesson plan to help them stay on-track and improve. And it works. I've seen it. So are we doing away with these two particular programs, Illustrative Math and I-Ready?
Through you, Mr. President. We're not doing away, we are deferring to the State Education Department to come up with a best-practices model. And if the two models that my colleague referenced are deemed to be best practices, I would assume they'll be considered and included in the final provisions by SED.
Through you, Mr. President, would the Senator continue to yield?
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
So what is the reason for this new math instruction this year?
Through you, Mr. President. Well, this was I believe originally proposed by the Governor in her Executive Budget. I think it reflects a broad consensus that we need our students to be stronger in math, particularly in the younger grades, so that they can move into more advanced math. And it is one of the approaches states are taking to ensure that students in the early grades have the basics that they need in order to proceed to more advanced math.
Through you, Madam President, will the Senator continue to yield.
Does the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
So the Governor's idea that we need this, was there any parent or teacher input? Because I know the teachers are going to have to retrain. And every time they've found something that works and they're getting used to it, learning how to apply a certain method of teaching and they're getting good at it, they have to retrain them to something else. Was there parent and teacher input in this decision?
Through you, Mr. President. I don't know which teachers were spoken to by the Governor's office. I would just say that SED and the rest of us talk to teachers and teacher representatives all the time. And I am confident that teachers will have a voice. I would point out to my colleague the fact that when you have to change how you teach, like we did with the science of reading, this is not always a bad thing. It's frequently a way to improve the outcomes. We're supportive of change. If things work the way they were done, we wouldn't have to look at all new approaches or continue to modify it. That's the nature of improvement.
Through you, Mr. President, will the Senator continue to yield?
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
So who's going to participate in developing the state's whole "best practices" recommendations?
Through you, Mr. President. The bill does not specify who the State Education Department will work with in developing these best practices.
Through you, Mr. President, would the Senator continue to yield.
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
So will the state provide funding for curriculum replacement, teacher retraining, and instructional materials?
Through you, Mr. President. This bill does not provide that. I assume in the next year's budget, as we continue to increase education funding for every school district, every school district in the state to get more Foundation Aid, we will continue to address the needs of every school district.
Through you, Mr. President, would the Senator continue to yield.
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
Thank you. How will the education commissioner determine if the new math instruction is in fact effective? Is it through test scores or math comprehension?
Through you, Mr. President. My colleague is asking about the bill. The bill directs the commissioner and the State Ed Department to provide evidence-based instructional best practices without a great deal of description. I am confident, having worked with them on the science of reading and other issues, that they are going to have to, as the experts in education -- and that's what they are, under the Board of Regents -- they will determine what are the best practices and what is the evidence-based instruction that they recommend for all schools.
Through you, Mr. President, will the Senator continue to yield.
Does the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The Senator yields.
Thank you. When should we or can we expect to see a rise in test scores after implementation of the new math programming?
Through you, Mr. President. I don't think that's a question, in all good faith, that I can answer, when test scores would rise. I would hope it would be this year. I would hope it would be next year. I'm sure my colleague agrees. This is the part of the goal of improving testing scores -- not only test scores, but actual math knowledge and ability to do complex math.
Thank you, Mr. President. On the bill.
Senator Chan on the bill.
Okay, so in the past, between the years 2014, when my older daughter started the first grade, and 2024, when I couldn't volunteer in the schools anymore, finding little time to do so, I saw our teachers in two schools struggle with new curriculum. They work a lot on their own time. And just when they were refining their method of teaching in a certain way, and we saw scores improve, and then with the new program we saw it decline. And then a couple of years later, when they're getting used to it, we saw the scores improve again. And lately, we're -- right now, New York State spends over $41,000 per student per year, and that's the highest in the nation. And yet our math scores are once again on the decline. So what it sounds like to me is that this evidence-based math instruction is going back to the basics of counting fingers, like one plus one equals two. Which is something that the teachers do anyway. So I certainly hope this is going to bring up our math scores in the state tests and make our children have a better comprehension of math. That will give a better reflection of the money that we're spending on our students. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Senator Chan. Senator Martins, why do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. I was hoping that Senator Mayer would yield for a few questions on Part B.
Senator Mayer, will you yield?
Yes. Let me get to Part B.
The sponsor yields.
Thank you. I just want to make sure I'm correct, Senator. It's a continuing discussion on the evidence-based math questions you've just fielded before we move on to other topics. Is it correct that this part will require that this new evidence-based math instruction has to be implemented in school districts by September 1, 2027?
Through you, Mr. President. Again, the language is more nuanced than what my colleague is describing. School districts by that day must verify that their curriculum and instructional practices for teaching math align with the best practices. That is not the -- that is different than imposing a curriculum. So there's an alignment of the best practices as determined by this evidence-based review, and that's what the bill requires.
Appreciate it. Thank you. Mr. President, if the Senator will continue to yield?
Does the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
So if we could, just for clarity for our school districts, if we work backwards from that date, and if this were to pass and be signed into law, that would set I guess a perhaps 15-month-or-so timeline in which our school districts would have to align with these new criteria, although we don't have any particulars. Certainly we haven't seen them. And so to the extent that I expect our school districts haven't seen them, when can we assure our school districts that they will have particulars and policies that they can actually begin reviewing for purposes of reaching that September 1, 2027, timeline?
Through you, Mr. President. Again, the bill doesn't say when SED must begin the contracting process or the review process. But I would remind my colleagues, just like the science of reading, we're in a very short window. We, through the Governor's leadership, began to greatly change the way we approach the science of reading to an evidence-based methodology. This has a short timeline. Once the bill passes, I'm confident SED will advise us of the timeline and we will see in enough time to advise our school districts what the methodology that they recommend is and how quickly they can enact it.
Through you, Mr. President, if the Senator would continue to yield.
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
So I've heard on a number of occasions references to the Governor, now the Governor's leadership. Can you tell us whether you know how the Governor came upon this concept? Did this come from the Governor's office? Did it come from the State Education Department? Did it come from a think tank? Where did this originate, if you know?
Through you, Mr. President. The Governor had this in her Executive Budget. I would say, as one who represents the State of New York on the Education Commission of the States, this is a national issue. Every state, and particularly many states who are challenged by the results in math scores, are looking at how to improve math outcomes. This is very consistent with what states are doing. They're looking at best practices, evidence-based methodology. And I believe the Governor is in sync with other states and other governors -- many Republican governors, I would point out -- who are looking at how to improve math outcomes. And I would presume that that was what guided her. But this was in the Executive Budget. We have adopted it. We believe it's sound, thoughtful, and will result in better outcomes for our kids. And at the end of the day, that's what we're here for.
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Senator Mayer. On the bill.
Senator Martins on the bill.
So, Mr. President, I recall all too well and not too fondly the experiment that was Common Core. I think many of my colleagues here in the room also recall that experiment and the impact on our school districts, the impact on our teachers, the impact on our parents, and most importantly the impact on our students across New York State from implementing a change in curriculum. So when we ask questions about where this came from and where is the evidence-based criteria that led to evidence-based changes in math curricula, I think we need to have some particulars about where it came from. To be perfectly frank, I do not care for politicians getting involved in curricula when it comes to teaching our children, whether it is a Democrat governor or whether it's a Republican governor or any governor. If we do not have a basis for it that is rooted in education, in education policy, in policy that comes from -- whether it's professionals or those teachers themselves or those who have dedicated themselves to the education of our children here in New York or elsewhere, we're missing the mark. The fact that we can sit here and discuss changing math for every child K through 5th grade in New York State and not have the ability to have an actual discussion of what that means, should be frightening to everyone who sits in this chamber. I can tell you it's going to be frightening to our teachers, to our parents -- who may not necessarily understand what it is this means. Folks, we've been through this before. The idea of sending this off to the State Education Department, hoping that they come up with criteria in time to properly provide it to our school districts and to our professionals who are teaching our children, in time for them to be able to implement by September 1, 2027, is wrong. And just because the Governor decided to do it, frankly, that's the worst reason for us to be doing this. I would prefer to have heard somebody say that this came from, you know, a university or a study. But saying that the Governor decided to do it, even with other governors, whatever partisan persuasion they happen to be, should be a concern for us. We all want what's best for our students. We all want to see increased math scores. We all know, and certainly our residents know that they've certainly invested significantly in the education of our children. We pay more per child on education than anyone else perhaps in the world. So yes, our parents and our residents deserve to know that that money is being properly invested and that they are getting the results for that. That does not mean we signed off just because the Governor said she thinks it's a good idea without providing the necessary details that allow us to properly evaluate it. With that, Mr. President, I would ask if there is someone who can speak to Part P.
Mr. President, that would be Senator Kavanagh.
Thank you. Thank you. Mr. President, if the sponsor would yield.
Will the sponsor yield?
Happily, Mr. President.
The sponsor yields.
So, Senator, Part P deals with changes to the law in allowing for an expansion of protections for tenants in the definition of harassment of tenants in rent-regulated apartments.
Yes.
Does this change also include protections for tenants who are living in New York City Housing Authority apartments, in addition to those that are privately owned?
Through you, Mr. President, I want to provide just a little context here. This is a bill that deals specifically with tenants in rent-stabilized buildings where the landlord engages, intentionally engages in specific conduct with the intent of getting the tenant to leave the apartment. It's been longstanding law. This bill -- under current law, it can be a modest crime to do that to one tenant. It can be a more significant crime to do it to two tenants. But the two tenants have to be in the same building, under current law, for it to be a more serious crime. What this bill does is makes it clear that if you're harassing two different tenants at the same time -- they could be in two buildings or one building -- you're still violating the standard for the aggravated level of harassment. And there's a further penalty if you're currently intentionally harassing three or more tenants in multiple buildings with the goal of getting them to vacate the apartment. So this has been brought to us as an issue that the Manhattan district attorney has designated for some cases where landlords were perceived to be doing that harassment. It's -- whether -- what the penalties would be for one of our many housing authorities if they chose to harass their tenants would be, you know, it's not relevant to this bill. I'm not sure, but I'm not aware of a lot of instances of public housing authorities harassing their tenants with the intent of getting them to leave. So this -- and this bill is not germane to that particular situation.
Thank you, Senator. Mr. President, on the bill.
Senator Martins on the bill.
So this particular part, as Senator Kavanagh mentioned, deals with the definition of harassment or providing for criminal penalties in the event that there is harassment of tenants in certain apartment units. And therefore my question. One of the largest apartment owners in the city happens to be the city itself. Through NYCHA, they have 120,000, 130,000 units or so where there are 500,000 New York City -- New York State residents residing. And it's widely regarded to be, by far, the worst landlord in the city, in the state, perhaps in the entire country. The living conditions for tenants living in NYCHA apartments -- it's easy to see. Everyone can just do a quick Google search and you can see instances where there have been systemic harassment of tenants. But I point everyone's attention to instances where NYCHA itself has been accused and charged with trying to force people out of their apartments. You know, specifically there are instances at the Fulton & Elliott-Chelsea apartments where they've clearly been charged with trying to remove tenants so that those apartments and those buildings can be torn down and rebuilt. And my question for us is as we go and discuss this in the context of rent-stabilized housing for all the privately owned buildings out there, how do we forget those tenants who are living in government-subsidized housing and who we know time and again are facing some of the worst conditions. And we have examples where they are actually harassing people to leave their apartments. Now, you know I don't represent a district in New York City. You know I don't have NYCHA apartments in my district. But I know that many here in this room do. And so if we're going to provide protections for tenants, let's make sure we include all tenants, including those tenants who happen to be tenants of the worst landlord in the Western Hemisphere. So with that, Mr. President, I'd like to speak to Part O. Now, Part O is -- on the bill. Part O allows for a private cause of action or a private right of action by tenants under a J-51 program. That is when people actually come in and say, I'm going to make improvements to these apartments. If they don't follow all of the regulations and all of the rules with regard to those apartments and those improvements, it gives the tenant a private right of action. But once again, Mr. President, once again that only applies to rent-stabilized housing. It doesn't apply to NYCHA housing. So if we were going to allow a private right of action, why wouldn't we allow a private right of action to those tenants who are living in NYCHA housing where the systemic failure in heat, water, electricity, vermin infestation, lead, mold, is common? You know, if we're going to protect tenants -- and there are a half-million residents who are living, many of them in significantly difficult conditions, as has been identified and we all know about it -- certainly those who have NYCHA apartments in their districts know about it -- why are we excluding those tenants and not affording them those same protections? And so I would ask and certainly suggest that when we're out there providing conditions for tenants and protections for tenants, why we would systemically fail to include those tenants who are living in NYCHA facilities? Mr. President, I appreciate the time. I want to thank my colleagues for their answers. I'll leave it at that. Thank you.
Thank you, Senator Martins. Senator Helming, why do you rise?
Thank you, Mr. President. If the sponsor would yield for a few questions on Part A.
Mr. President, we're back to Senator Mayer.
Senator Mayer, would you yield for a few questions?
Yes, of course.
Senator Mayer yields.
Thank you. Through you, Mr. President. During an earlier debate I had made a note of something that was said, that sometimes change is good because with change comes improved outcomes. And I was thrilled to hear that, and made a note of it because change is what I want to talk about. Change is what I have questions about. When New York State commissioned the Rockefeller Institute, we paid them to take a look at the way we fund public schools and education. And the institute came back with a number of recommendations. One of those recommendations was that we should look at separating some elements of the Foundation Aid formula, such as special education, as categorical aid, which would be more effective. So my question is, does the budget proposal before us reflect this recommendation?
Through you, Mr. President. No, this budget document does not reflect that. But I would note that -- (pause). So let me be correct here. The current budget does not reflect an increase for special ed. I happen to support such an increase and believe that it's necessary for many districts and necessary in order to meet the expenses of profoundly disabled children. That being said, last year we amended several provisions of the Foundation Aid formula in response to the Rockefeller Institute's recommendations -- which I would point out were sort of a menu, as opposed to a specific proposal. But this budget does not include an additional weighting for special-needs students.
Through you, Mr. President, if the sponsor will continue to yield.
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
Thank you. The Rockefeller Institute findings also noted a need to modernize how district wealth is measured so aid calculations better reflect the actual financial realities of a community. Does the budget before us incorporate any changes in how district wealth is measured?
Through you, Mr. President, no.
Thank you. Through you, Mr. President, I do have a question on Part B, if the sponsor will yield for a few questions.
Senator Gianaris?
That remains Senator Mayer.
Yes, I will yield.
The sponsor yields.
Thank you. So in prior back-and-forth debate over Part B, which is titled "Evidence-Based Math Instruction," I just want to be clear that I support doing anything that we can to elevate our children, improving their scores. But what I didn't hear during any of the debates, and my question is, how are we going to measure the success of this program? Does the budget include any language?
Through you, Mr. President, no. The bill does not reflect the measurements. But we have standardized measurements. We have math and ELA tests that are taken in Grade 3 through 8, as well as national standards that reflect other tests. And we have decent data about how our students are doing in math, which needs to continue to improve. So I'm confident that once this is implemented, the direct hope is it will result in higher test scores and higher learning. Test scores are not the only game in town. But that students are prepared to take more advanced classes in math.
Thank you. Through you, Mr. President, if the sponsor will continue to yield.
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
So it wasn't too long ago, in a prior budget, where we included something about the science of reading, a Governor's initiative, and it had to be implemented by our schools by September of 2025. It sounds kind of similar to what we're trying to do now with math. Do we have any data that shows that this new mandate on our schools is having a positive outcome?
Through you, Mr. President. Conceptually, the effort towards the science of reading was similar in some ways. This is a much more modest approach, really in every way. But the science of reading implementation did not take place until September 1 of this year, so we have yet to see the results.
Thank you. On the bill, Mr. President.
Senator Helming on the bill.
Thank you. In 2024 the State of New York commissioned the Rockefeller Institute to analyze and modernize the way that the state funds public education. And I remember when that happened being supportive of it, because I felt very strongly, based on information I have heard from my school districts, from taxpayers, from good government groups, that this is an area where we spend a lot of money. You know, the success of our children is very important. And it's unfortunate to me that the budget that's before us, it largely supports continuing the same approach to educational funding instead of addressing those underlying challenges that districts and taxpayers have repeatedly been asking us to fix. We shouldn't be ignoring those key recommendations of the Rockefeller report, we should be incorporating them. When I hear from my school districts, I'm sure it's very similar to other school districts where one of the most -- the highest cost is related to special education costs. They continue to grow dramatically. In one district located in Ontario County, the number of students requiring special education services has increased by 700 percent over the last 15 years. In a small school district in Livingston County, out-of-district placements for high-needs students now cost well over $1 million annually. These aren't isolated situations, and they're becoming more and more common across upstate New York. The Rockefeller Institute, commissioned by the state, recommended changes that could provide more transparency and flexibility, including separating certain expenses, like special education, into categorical aid streams and allowing districts greater flexibility within the combined wealth ratio calculation. And I just wanted to provide another example. In the Gananda Central School District alone, changes to the weighting of property and income wealth could increase Foundation Aid by as much as $800 per student. That would help relieve the immense -- and I can't stress it enough, the immense pressure on our local taxpayers. The reality is that this budget continues to provide temporary relief in some areas while delaying more meaningful reforms that many schools have been calling for year after year. And I have to say, on that temporary relief, I fully support the pushback on the EV mandate. But again, it's just temporary. It does nothing long term to fix the challenges that our school districts have. As we move forward, I hope we take a more serious look at modernizing the state's approach to determining fair and adequate funding for smaller and rural school districts. They deserve the same resources, their students deserve the same support, and local taxpayers deserve a break. They shouldn't continually be asked to shoulder more of the burden. Thank you.
Thank you, Senator Helming. Senator Walczyk, why do you rise?
Mr. President, I would like to ask a question on Part NN from the one-house budget.
Senator Gianaris.
Mr. President, it's a special budget edition of Walczyk Wednesday today. (Laughter.)
Seeing how there is no Part NN, I guess I will attempt to answer the Senator's question.
Senator Walczyk, Senator Gianaris yields.
Through you, Mr. President. So in the one-house budget that was brought in this chamber, there was a -- it provided for a 100 percent service-connected disabled veterans' property tax exemption. Is that included in this bill?
No, it is not.
Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield?
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
And I've heard from a number of veterans that are 100 percent service-connected disabled that were disappointed in the way the Governor did a chapter amendment to basically strip out that benefit for veterans. And I think that's why it was inserted in the one-house. Is there a reason why it isn't in the final bill here today?
Well, as the Senator pointed out, that was Part NN. This current bill before us goes up to Part R. So there were 22 or 23 parts that are no longer in this bill. There are eight additional bills to come before the budget is done, so who knows. It may or may not show up before we're done.
Thank you. And through you, Mr. President, I have some questions on Part A.
That would be Senator Mayer.
Thank you, Senator. Senator Mayer, do you yield to questions on Part A?
Yes.
The Senator yields.
Thank you. Through you, Mr. President. The Governor proposed in her budget a cut to Library Construction Aid this year. The library associations asked for $175 million in construction aid. Is that what this bill is providing?
Through you, Mr. President, I believe my colleague is asking about capital for libraries, which is not within this budget. This budget, with respect to libraries, only deals with school libraries.
Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield?
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
Thank you, that will be in a later bill. So Library Materials Aid, then, would be in here. They've been at the $6 mark I think since 1994. The libraries were asking for some additional funds there. I think $11.33 was their ask. Did they get any additional in Library Materials Aid?
Through you, Mr. President, no. That's unfortunate, but no.
And through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield?
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
Through you, Mr. President. Not to harp on the EV bus mandate, but I did hear earlier you mentioned the $500 million Sustainable Futures money that was used, I think by NYSERDA, to help pay for the EV buses. Will that money get returned to ratepayers that it was taken from?
Through you, Mr. President. Those funds were direct appropriations or reimbursement to school districts for the costs that my colleagues are complaining about due to the cost of implementing this electric school bus requirement. So it did not go to ratepayers. But to the extent that it reimburses school districts, it reduces the pressure on them with respect to property tax.
Thank you. And through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield?
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
And this -- I know that it's difficult in the grand scheme of a large budget conversation with multiple bills, but NYSERDA has also had various pots of money to pay in portion for the electric buses for school districts that do adopt them. Will those pots of money be distributed back to the ratepayers that they were overcollected from? Or will they just sit in NYSERDA's coffers? (Pause.)
Through you, Mr. President. If I understand correctly the question, I believe the question is about funds that NYSERDA possesses which my colleague has suggested should be returned to ratepayers. These are funds that are off-budget. NYSERDA is off-budget. NYSERDA has allocated these funds, many of which are being used by school districts for planning for the implementation of the electric school bus requirement. And they're not going back to ratepayers, they're being used for projects as designated by NYSERDA. But NYSERDA has been a key player in the effectiveness of moving towards electric school buses.
Thank you. And through you, Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield?
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
I know that two-thirds of New York State school districts, roughly, are hold-harmless at this point. Are they receiving the minimum of a 2 percent increase in Foundation Aid? Is that what I understand?
Through you, Mr. President. You know, at the urging of the Senate Majority and the Assembly Majority, the 1 percent which the Governor proposed was doubled to 2 percent. So every district that's on the save-harmless will get at least 2 percent. And some districts are obviously getting more because of other changes that occurred.
Through you, Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield?
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
My esteemed, distinguished, and well-respected colleague from the Finger Lakes asked some questions about the Rockefeller Institute's suggestions for changes to Foundation Aid and the way that we distribute school aid. One that's always -- and I think we've had some conversations about it. The floor of the income wealth index, has that been eliminated to show how poor a school district actually is? Have there been any changes to the way that the income wealth index is calculated?
Through you, Mr. President, no. That recommendation or menu -- in the menu of suggestions by the Rockefeller Institute, was not implemented last year when we made the changes.
Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield?
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
Does it change the formula for schools with high state ownership of land or nontaxable land within their school district? For example, I represent a number of schools in the Adirondack Park, which means they have a very small amount of property that they can actually tax. Has there been any calculation changes as far as that goes in this proposal?
Through you, Mr. President, no, there haven't been. But I would point out -- and I think my colleagues on both sides of the aisle know this -- this conference and our leadership, and myself as chair and Senator Liu as chair of the Committee on New York Schools, have fought to expand and modify the Foundation Aid provisions to provide even more relief to every district, including the ones you're discussing, Senator Walczyk. We recognize this is not a perfect formula. We fought for more changes. We will fight for more changes. We want the best. But this budget is a compromise, and this is the best we could get. And this is significantly better than we started with or could have anticipated. And so with that, I'm here defending this budget.
And through you, Mr. President, will the sponsor continue to yield?
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
Through you, Mr. President. School districts had also requested a change in the capital projects outlay for the smaller construction projects that they do, an increase from 100K to 250. Was that included in this budget?
Through Mr. President, no, it wasn't, although it was in our one-house and something we supported.
And through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield?
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
We've also discussed the 4 percent in undesignated reserve, at times showing that small, poor, rural school districts, one student moving into their district can have a huge budgetary impact. Have we increased at all or changed at all the 4 percent in undesignated reserve?
Through you, Mr. President, no, that's not included. I have a bill that moved through committee last week, as you know, that for purposes of the increasing cost of special ed students, we recommend that a significantly higher reserve be authorized.
Through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield?
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
What about -- the one-house had $10 million for civic education. Did that make it into the final budget here?
Through you, Mr. President. I hope it does. That would be in an appropriation bill. That's not before us today.
And through you, Mr. President, would the sponsor continue to yield?
Will the sponsor yield?
Yes.
The sponsor yields.
There's also been a number of proposals on financial literacy. Is there any instruction -- I know there was a long discussion about math changes. Anything on financial literacy in the State of New York?
Through you, Mr. President. As I think you know, SED and the Board of Regents implemented a plan in which financial literacy is much more included in every grade level. And that has to be implemented. But I think the concept of increasing financial literacy is top of mind in the State Education Department, they're going to move in that direction.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, Senator Walczyk. Are there any other Senators wishing to be heard? Seeing and hearing none, debate is closed. The Secretary will ring the bell. Might I make a programming note that the vote explanation time is two minutes per member. If you are -- please adhere to the two-minute limit. We will ask you to explain your vote as you approach the two minutes or shortly thereafter. With that being said, read the last section.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Call the roll. (The Secretary called the roll.)
Senator Stec to explain his vote.
Thank you, Mr. President. This electric bus mandate that we are delaying five years in this bill was approved in the Senate ELFA bill in 2022. Not one member of this side of the aisle voted for the ELFA bill. I suspect that a big part of that was the inclusion of this electric bus mandate. Since that time, I know I and a lot of people on this side of the aisle, and I suspect on both sides of the aisle, have had the opportunity to hear from our school districts. I have 48 school districts in my Senate district. In the last three years, I have not heard a single school district tell me that they thought the EV bus mandate was a wise idea or a workable idea or certainly an affordable idea. I'm encouraged that three or four years after its inclusion in the budget that we are delaying it five years. I'd prefer to see it go away completely. This one-size-fits-all approach -- very rural, very large school districts in the very, very cold North Country are a completely different proposition than a highly congested, urban area to the south of Albany with short runs. And you've been hearing that for years. Again, I'm encouraged that we're going to go with the delay. But with my background in engineering, I strongly suspect that the physics, engineering and economics won't appreciably change in the next five years. And five years and two gubernatorial elections from now, it will still be a bad idea. And I will continue to be pushing -- until technology changes, I will be pushing to make sure that we repeal this mandate on all of our schools. And I will be voting in the affirmative on this bill, but I still think that this EV mandate is something that needs to go away completely.
Senator Stec to be recorded in the affirmative. Senator Harckham to explain his vote.
Thank you very much, Mr. President. I just want to respond to a couple of things very quickly. The comment was made about the need for tax relief for our taxpayers and school districts. It was this Majority, under the leadership of Senator Mayer and Senator Liu and Senator Jackson, that fully funded Foundation Aid -- billions of dollars more for our school districts, billions of dollars more that our local property taxpayers don't have to pay. I also want to just comment on the EV mandate. Yes, the marketplace had some problems, and we acknowledge that. And that's why this five-year delay is so necessary. But let's remember why we need to do this. Students on school buses breathe 19 times more harmful pollutants than folks not on those buses: Benzene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde. These are toxics that are linked to cancer and other serious health effects. The particulate matter on the buses in terms of asthma and other respiratory illnesses. And our school districts are now complaining about the high cost of gasoline. The price to operate an electric school bus is actually far lower. Yes, they're more expensive up front, priced to operate lower. I vote aye.
Senator Harckham to be recorded in the affirmative. Senator May to explain her vote.
Thank you, Mr. President. I rise with some compassion for my colleagues across the aisle who every year need to use the budget debate to preach fiscal responsibility. I imagine that's difficult to do when the leader of your party is engaged in wasteful spending and corruption at a scale that we have never seen in this country before. I am proud to defend spending billions on education, educating all of our children; on supporting childcare workers; and on other items that really support the people of our state, rather than some of the things that we're seeing at the federal level that are, you know, billions being spent on a golden ballroom or a slush fund for January 6th insurrectionists. I proudly vote aye for this bill.
Senator May to be recorded in the affirmative. Senator Ryan to explain his vote.
Thank you, Mr. President. So I want to rise in support of this bill, and I want to specifically talk about the inclusion of my bill, the five-year pause on the electric school bus mandate. I want you to know that. So throughout my tenure here, my short tenure, what I heard loud and clear specifically for the last year and a half, and also heard it actually when I was trying to get this job, is about this bill and the mandate, mandate. What I heard consistently through the districts, feedback that it was unmanageable. Countless hundreds and hundreds of conversations through the last year and a half at least. I heard from school superintendents, school boards, school members, financial administrators, transportation directors, those that drove the actual school buses, that the mandate just wasn't possible; the current mandate timeline burdening taxpayers; the cost of electric buses, charging and infrastructure upgrades, electrical capacity, and on and on and on. I am really happy that we were able to get this done with this five-year pause. It's practical, it's responsible, it's common sense. And obviously it adds some temporary relief, much-needed temporary relief. This gives our districts time to plan, allows the -- allows the buses to catch up to technology, providing infrastructure to catch up, and also protects taxpayers, in maintaining the safe, reliable transportation for our students, our kids, which is actually the most important thing. So I'm happy that we have a balanced approach. I'm happy that there's a sense of pragmatism. I'm happy that this is getting done, much-needed relief, which we heard. And I will say that really I have to just acknowledge some of the people that actually we've been working with for almost the last two years: Our New York State United Teachers, the New York State School Boards Association, Council of Superintendents, School Administrators, Conference of Big 5 School Districts --
Senator Ryan, how do you vote?
-- and most importantly, Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Thank you.
Senator Ryan to be recorded in the affirmative. Senator Kavanagh to explain his vote.
Thank you, Mr. President. I'd just like to comment on a few elements of this bill. There's a lot of great things in this bill. I want to comment on a few of the things related to housing. First of all, this bill includes a very substantial expansion of the J-51 program, extends it for 10 years. This will be a very valuable way of investing in the quality and sustainability of our housing throughout New York City. About half of all co-ops in the city will qualify under this bill, and many, many of our rental units. This will require adoption by the City of New York, but it's a huge step forward and a very much more generous program than we've seen in many years. Secondly, on tenant harassment. Contrary to what one of my colleagues suggested across the aisle, the activity that's going on in Chelsea, in New York, would not constitute harassment under this bill or any other bill. We are not exempting NYCHA from being responsible. In fact, the tenants in Chelsea have been protected by federal standards for determining when they can be asked to leave their apartments. And of course that is about a project of building lots of new housing units and moving the tenants in the existing units into brand-new buildings. Whatever you think of that project, this bill is about landlords who intentionally cut off the power, intentionally make apartments uninhabitable in order to intentionally push people out of their apartments. It's very important that we take this step, and this is a very good way of protecting tenants. Thirdly, the NPP and RPP programs, these are the Neighborhood and Rural Preservation Programs across our state. This bill finally, after many years, will make sure that every rural community has an RPP. We're expanding the program to make sure there can be additional organizations serving parts of the state that haven't been served. And it also, as we did last year, expands the amount of money available for those programs. They are the backbone of protecting many of our communities, and I'm very proud that we're able to do that today. And with that, I vote aye. Thank you.
Senator Kavanagh to be recorded in the affirmative. Senator Ortt to explain his vote.
Thank you, Mr. President. You know, I wasn't going to speak, I just came out here to enjoy the fun. But I am supporting the bill, along with a lot of our members, largely because of the EV mandate delay, which this conference, the Minority Conference, has advocated for, fought for. The delay certainly I think highlights the flaws in the original legislation. And I suspect the delay won't be enough and we'll continue to have to correct this and ultimately get rid of the mandate. Because as was mentioned by Senator Ryan and others, our school districts were the ones saying, This isn't going to work. And that's what we said from the very beginning, and now here we are on another episode of "We Told You So." But Mr. President, I want to add -- I want to respond to something my colleague across the aisle said. Don't feel bad for me to preach fiscal responsibility. You make it so easy in the Majority Conference, because you're spending $15 billion over last year on a budget that's two months late and counting. And it's 100 billion over the last seven years. So when it comes to preaching fiscal responsibility, it's never been easier, Mr. President. I vote aye.
Senator Ortt to be recorded in the affirmative. Senator Gianaris.
Thank you, Mr. President. To explain my vote. I guess this is the part of the conversation where I stand up and point out to my colleague the Minority Leader that the first word of his title is "Minority" for a reason. It's because the voters of this state have chosen the leadership that we have provided, now going on eight years, with a record-setting-size majority. So I think that what we're doing here is something that the people of this state have supported over four, now going on five election cycles. I proudly vote aye, Mr. President.
Senator Gianaris to be recorded in the affirmative. Senator Martins to explain his vote.
Thank you, Mr. President. I vote to support this bill as well, mostly because of the increased spending. And I want to thank certainly my colleagues here for all the work that they've done to push back on the EV bus mandate. It makes a big difference in our communities, certainly in our school districts. And I concur with my colleagues when I say we should just get rid of it. It's not going to make sense. It won't make sense tomorrow. The weather doesn't permit for it. The technology's not there. And just putting it back five years is not going to resolve this issue. And a word of advice for our school districts that are out there who may go out there and purchase these school buses in anticipation of meeting that deadline. Please don't. You know, the real victims here are those school districts in our state that went out there and actually purchased these buses and burdened themselves with the cost of these buses because they understood that the Majority had imposed that on them. And although they didn't agree with it, they went ahead and did it at the expense of spending that money on education, on books, on facilities for their kids, and now they're stuck with these things and they're not able to actually use them. So as we approach this delay, please don't buy them, because this will be delayed again. I vote aye.
Senator Martins to be recorded in the affirmative. Senator Mayer to explain her vote.
Thank you, Mr. President. I think it's quite extraordinary that this debate was all in this extremely negative tone. This is an extremely positive development, given the moment we are in. We not only got the full funding of Foundation Aid, as our Senate deputy leader acknowledged. This year we doubled the amount the Governor was allocating. All of us want more money for our school districts. So in addition to getting at least 2 percent more, also we have updated the Foundation Aid formula this year. And it's too bad we didn't talk about it, because the biggest district in New York and in fact in the nation, the New York City School District, is going to benefit by an additional weight for students experiencing homelessness, foster care, and the increased weight for English language learners -- as well as districts outside of New York City. These are our children too. Not only do -- I don't represent New York City, but I care about those kids. And we have done something very positive for them. And for all of us outside New York City, we have made a profound investment in full-day pre-K for 4-year-olds which never existed as a universal requirement until this budget will make it happen in the next two years. We've given flexibility on the buses -- thank you, Senator Ryan, for your leadership. But I think we have to thank our leader, Senator Stewart-Cousins, for ensuring that this budget reflected our collective commitment to every kid. And it's a shame that my colleagues complained about the additional cost when they actually all want additional money for their districts. I've worked with them all to try to get money for their districts. This budget, not perfect, gives money to every district, improves the outcomes for our children, and expands accessibility for every child in New York, including the places we don't represent that we have an obligation to speak up for. I vote aye.
Senator Mayer to be recorded in the affirmative. Senator Fahy to explain her vote.
Thank you, Mr. President. I too stand in support and will be voting aye on this bill. And incredibly grateful to the leader and all of those who played a part in many parts of this, starting with the Foundation Aid. I now have about 17 school districts. Many of them will really use that additional Foundation Aid. I'm proud of our colleagues for pushing that. I also think it was incredibly important to tweak the formula to add in homeless, ELL and foster care students. I'm also very pleased that we will now make large renewable energy projects state aid-eligible, reimbursable. And I know the electric -- I have certainly heard a lot about the electric buses. I thank the Majority Leader for listening to us and Senator Ryan for his leadership on this. They needed time. Many are trying to do the right thing here. We may need some changes as we go forward as well, because this has been a challenge. Finally, I also want to mention that probably my favorite part of the entire budget is that we are delivering on the financial promise from years ago of the universal pre-K. All of my districts benefited, many of them to the point of doubling the UPK funding per student, which has been nothing short of extraordinary. And again, I vote aye. Thank you again for this budget.
Senator Fahy to be recorded in the affirmative. Senator Borrello to explain his vote.
Thank you, Mr. President. Yeah, I am supporting this bill today, largely because of the extension of this EV mandate. But, you know, I do find it a little rich to listen to folks talk about giving themselves credit. I mean, it's kind of like the arsonist taking credit for coming back to fight the fire. This was a mandate that you put in place. It's been in place long enough -- you could have suspended it a while ago. But now the Governor's in a reelection fight and we've got to learn about the fact that these school districts have not been able to meet this mandate. And I'm wondering, if we're thinking that the technology's going to improve, like if they kept their receipt, can they get their money back for the buses that they bought that are obviously going to be better in five years? I don't think so. So this is still a problem. We still have to address this. But I'll take the half a loaf today, and I'll be voting aye. Thank you.
Senator Borrello to be recorded in the affirmative. Announce the results.
In relation to Calendar 1284, voting in the negative are Senators O'Mara and Walczyk. Ayes, 59. Nays, 2.
The bill has passed. Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of the controversial calendar.
Thank you, Mr. President. Returning to motions for a moment, on behalf of Senator Parker, on page 34 I offer the following amendments to Calendar 637, Senate 9433A, and ask that said bill retain its place on Third Reading Calendar.
The amendments are received, and the bill will retain its place on the Third Reading Calendar. Senator Gianaris.
On behalf of Senator May, on page 23 I offer the following amendments to Calendar 238, Senate Print 7131A, and ask that said bill retain its place on Third Reading Calendar.
The amendments are received, and the bill will retain its place on the Third Reading Calendar.
At the request of the sponsors of the resolutions we took up earlier today, they are all open for cosponsorship.
The resolutions are open for cosponsorship. Should you choose not to be a cosponsor, please notify the desk. Senator Gianaris.
Is there any further business at the desk?
There is no further business at the desk.
I move to adjourn until Thursday, May 21st, at 11:00 a.m.
On motion, the Senate stands adjourned until Thursday, May 21st, at 11:00 a.m. (Whereupon, at 5:23 p.m., the Senate adjourned.)