Black, brown, lower-income, and immigrant communities needed transformative investments: an updated Foundation Aid formula to ensure equitable school funding, significant investment in universal child care, and real economic justice. Instead, the announcement of the budget deal reflects incremental progress and continued compromises, leaving too many uncertain about their future. This repeated cycle of uncertainty over school aid threatens the ability of students to thrive, all while facing the ongoing risks of inadequate resources and supports in their classrooms. This uncertainty is man-made, and taxing the ultra wealthy would ensure that all New Yorkers have what they need. It would also prove that Governor Hochul was serious when she said, “Your family is my fight.” Right now, it’s just lip service. We await details to understand whether those students and communities will be supported or sidelined. Fight for us!