“The passage of the first 2026-27 budget bill reaffirms New York State’s commitment to investing in our schools, supporting working families and ensuring our communities continue to have access to organizations that enrich our lives.

“In order to set our children up for success, we must ensure that they have all the tools they need to thrive, and that starts by ensuring our teachers and schools have all the resources they need, while making it easier for working families to access early childhood education. Every school district is receiving at least a 2% increase in Foundation Aid and greater support for universal pre-K, including increased per-pupil aid for 4-year-old students. This allows schools to better meet students’ needs while expanding access to affordable education.

“I’m also thrilled that the budget bill includes a five-year delay on the electric bus mandate, a top priority that I worked to advance after meeting directly with bus garage administrators, transportation companies and the New York State Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), to better understand the issues surrounding the transition from gas to electric school buses. This delay ensures that school districts are not burdened with unsustainable costs or an unreasonable timeline for implementation.

“The budget also supports organizations that enrich our community through the arts. I’m grateful we are continuing to invest in the New York State Music Grant Fund for not-for-profit symphonies and arts organizations, including organizations like the Glens Falls Symphony and Opera Saratoga. This allows these organizations to continue promoting music education and entertaining our community through their music.

“As we fund other areas of the state budget, I’m hopeful our communities will receive the resources needed to thrive.”