ALBANY, N.Y. (WCAX) – Leaders in New York are raising the alarm on potential cuts to education funding.
The Trump administration has hinted at large cuts to the Agency of Education, a move Governor Kathy Hochul says could be catastrophic.
She says the state gets $5.5 billion dollars from the Department of Education. About 60% of that goes to the state, and the remaining 40% goes to local schools.
She said if that money goes away, taxpayers will have to make up the difference in their school districts.
“For outside the city, the largest part of your local property tax bill is your school taxes. If that money evaporates from the federal government, where are they going to go? This is going to hit homeowners and businesses, and I want them to be aware of this consequence,” said Governor Hochul.
Another concern is funding for students with disabilities and kids on free or reduced school lunches.
Hochul says the state offers assistance for student meals, but it’s a program supported by federal dollars.
At this time, it’s not clear what changes to the Department of Education will happen.