Nyack, NY – Supervisor Specht and Rockland Business Association President Al Samuels engaged in a discussion centered on economic development during the RBA membership luncheon, which took place on January 18 at the Nyack Seaport.
Supervisor Specht participated in the monthly luncheon hosted by Forever Young seniors, alongside President Louisa DePaola.
Supervisor Kenny was present at President Sr. Mary Eileen O’Brien’s Farewell Luncheon on Tuesday, January 16th. The occasion honored Sr. Mary Eileen not just for her remarkable leadership abilities but also for her warm and approachable nature, as well as her role as the “heart and soul” of Dominican University.
Orangetown, NY – Supervisor Kenny extended warm birthday wishes and presented a certificate to Orangetown resident Charlotte Swift on her 103rd birthday. Happy Birthday, Charlotte!
In Albany, New York, State Senator Pete Harckham has expressed strong criticism towards Governor Kathy Hochul for reducing state aid to multiple school districts within Senate District 40. Despite the Executive’s Proposed FY2024-2025 State Budget growing to $233 billion, marking a 4.3% increase from the previous year, these cuts have raised concerns.
Six school districts in Senate District 40, namely Bedford, Katonah-Lewisboro, Croton-Harmon, Chappaqua, North Salem, and Yorktown, are set to receive less school aid in the FY2024-2025 State Budget compared to the previous year.
Harckham emphasized the significance of consistent investments in education for New York’s economic future. “Educating our students is the key to New York’s economic future and requires that we make these important investments in our schools, year after year,” said Harckham. He views the reduction in these investments as a regressive step and an affront to students, educators, and taxpayers.
Furthermore, Harckham pledged to fight for the restoration of full funding to all school districts statewide. Recognizing the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on students’ learning, he believes that this is not the time to impose state aid cuts that would affect staffing and educational programs.
Additionally, nine out of the 19 school districts in Senate District 40 are facing reductions in Foundation Aid as per Governor Hochul’s proposed FY2024-2025 budget.
Among the school districts impacted, the Bedford Central School District, which serves 3,500 students, stands to lose 12% of its state aid. Harckham emphasized the importance of equity in the budget model, stating, “This year, school districts in New York should not receive less state funding while other districts nearby are seeing increases. That unfair budget modeling is a thing of the past.”
Senator Pete Harckham represents the 40th Senate District, encompassing various towns and villages in Putnam, Rockland, and Westchester Counties, all of which are integral to the educational landscape of New York State.