Statement from Assemblyman Nader J. Sayegh on $175.5 Billion Budget Deal Reached by Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature

“I'm pleased to announce that a budget deal has been reached between the Governor and both houses of the State Legislature” said Assemblyman Sayegh.

“Despite the financial obstacles we faced, lawmakers came together and delivered on a substantial budget which fulfills the promises we made to New Yorkers. This Justice Budget includes reforms in criminal justice through the elimination of cash bail, enshrines Janus protections for organized labor, expands the Excelsior Scholarship program to more middle-class families and their children attending SUNY and CUNY colleges, enacts the Women's Agenda, and much more. All while keeping property taxes capped at 2% for the 8th consecutive year."

“While I'm proud of the things we accomplished on these issues, education funding remains my primary concern and the single most outstanding issue for families in my district. I'm pleased to report that a substantial portion of the $1 billion increase in statewide education funding will be making its way to Yonkers. I'd like to thank my colleagues in the State Senate, Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Education Chair Shelley Mayer for their continued commitment to Yonkers Public Schools. I'd also like to thank our local leadership including Mayor Mike Spano,

Yonkers City Council President Mike Khader, the Yonkers City Council the Yonkers Council of PTA/PTSAs, the YFT, and all of the unaffiliated parents and students who made their voices heard in Albany and for their continued advocacy. However, I refuse to renege on our 30,000 children and my constituents. Every day that our children attend schools with subpar funding is a day that they're being punished by issues far beyond their control. It is a grave injustice and one which will only be resolved by the substantive undertaking of changing the inequitable school foundation aid formula once and for all.”