Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) – The New York State budget deadline is ten days away and as Jack O’Donnell of O’Donnell and Associates told WBEN, “there’s still an awful lot to get done and not a lot of urgency to get it done on time.”
A big policy fight over education funding stands out as the budget goes into the final stretch.
In previous years, big policy controversies over mobile sports betting, ride sharing, a natural gas ban would drive budget talks. This year, O’Donnell admits its a lot quieter and more muted.
School aid is the most contentious issue right now with Governor Kathy Hochul insisting on changing the school funding formula.
One proposal is to get rid of the so-called “hold harmless” provision of the foundation aid formula. This provision makes it so a district can’t receive less aid than it did the year before.
The governor is proposing replacing the “hold harmless” …