Governor Kathy Hochul joined Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for a press briefing today, urging New York’s congressional representatives to stand against proposed federal education cuts. Hochul warned that the cuts, if enacted, would strip $5.5 billion in crucial funding from the state, triggering local tax hikes and jeopardizing public education services.
Hochul broke down the potential impact, explaining that $3.2 billion of the federal funds currently support the state’s budget, while $2.3 billion flows directly to localities. “If that money is jeopardized… localities lose that money, they will have to raise taxes,” Hochul cautioned. For many homeowners and businesses, the lion’s share of property taxes goes toward school funding, making the stakes of these proposed cuts particularly high.
The governor emphasized that losing this funding would also threaten essential student programs, including free school meals and disability support services. “I’m working hard in the State of New York to make sure that no child goes hungry,” she said, stressing the importance of federal assistance in maintaining school breakfast and lunch programs.
Hochul also highlighted concerns voiced by SUNY Chancellor John King regarding Pell Grants, which enable low-income students to pursue higher education. She warned that reduced educational opportunities could hurt New York’s workforce quality and ultimately harm employers seeking skilled graduates.
The governor made a pointed appeal to Republican members of New York’s congressional delegation, questioning their silence on the issue. “Where are you? … If you can’t speak up for [the children], then get out of your job and go do something else,” she declared.
The press conference, which also featured American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, underscored bipartisan anxiety over the cascading effects of potential federal education funding cuts. Hochul’s message was clear: without federal support, New York’s local governments may face difficult choices between slashing school programs and raising taxes, with children’s education and well-being hanging in the balance.
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