ALBANY, N.Y. (March 10, 2026) — Public education advocacy organization Alliance for Quality Education issued the following statement in response to the Senate and Assembly budget proposals:
“The Senate and Assembly budget proposals both include priorities that must be reflected in the final enacted budget. Working families across New York are facing deep and growing threats and challenges, and as they turn to final negotiations, our state leaders must rise to meet this moment, and include these important investments in the final budget,” said Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari and Marina Marcou-O’Malley, Co-Executive Directors, Alliance for Quality Education.
“Both the Senate and the Assembly recognize the need to raise revenue to protect New York and invest in the services New Yorkers rely on. New Yorkers understand what is at stake and support raising taxes on those most able to contribute in order to strengthen our communities and safeguard essential programs from federal threats.
“That leaves Governor Hochul as the only roadblock to raising taxes, a position that is increasingly out of step with the demands, needs and realities of her fellow lawmakers as well as working families across the state.
“The one house proposals build on the executive proposal’s much needed and welcome child care investments for both NYC and the statewide assistance program. The Senate’s proposal includes funding to boost wages for the child care workforce, an essential part of building a universal child care system. Despite the importance of the work they do for our children, families and the overall economy, child care educators are paid less than the vast majority of professions in the state. The Assembly’s proposal includes elimination of the minimum income requirement to access child care assistance. The enacted budget must include no less than these proposals to increase workforce wages this year and eliminate barriers for families.
“Both houses proposed changes to the Foundation Aid formula, including weights for English Language Learners and students experiencing homelessness, which must be reflected for the entire state to ensure public schools receive the resources they need to serve their students.
“Now is not the time for half measures. Working families and children are experiencing real pain. Services people depend on are under attack. Families and children themselves find themselves targets. Child care educators are struggling to stay in the field, families are struggling to find care for the children, and public schools are struggling to meet students’ growing needs.
“New Yorkers expect their elected leaders to act and protect them. At a time when families and communities need support the most, we call on state leaders to deliver a final budget that protects essential services, invests in children and families, taxes the ultra wealthy and reflects the priorities of the working families of New York.”