Rockland Reporter

Yesterday, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) led a letter to Rockefeller Institute of Government President Robert Megna urging greater Hudson Valley representation in statewide hearings on Foundation Aid as well as revisions to the formula calculation. The letter is signed by State Senators Rob Rolison and Bill Weber, as well as Assemblymen Matt Slater, Anil Beephan, Brian Maher, and John McGowan.

"As federal and state legislators, parents, and property taxpayers, we can attest to the unique and significant challenges facing school districts in our region," the legislators write. "For example, Hudson Valley homeowners pay the nation’s highest property taxes, with school district levies constituting nearly 80% of our total tax bill. When coupled with the relatively small commercial tax base in many of our communities and the enormous share of local property that has been removed from the tax rolls, this has stretched household budgets past their breaking point."

"As revisions to New York's primary school funding mechanism are considered, it is critically important for the Rockefeller Institute to hold a hearing in the Hudson Valley that is focused on our specific issues," added the legislators. "This should begin with updating the Regional Cost Index and Pupil Needs Index, as the current metrics are outdated and fail to reflect our region's current economic situation and the needs of our students."

"Our constituents and those residing in the balance of our region take great pride in our schools—encompassing rural, suburban, and urban districts—and the accomplished students they produce," the legislators concluded. "While we understand the challenges of conducting a comprehensive review by the December 1, 2024 deadline, any process that does not include a public hearing in the Hudson Valley will inevitably fail to address our unique challenges, rendering the entire undertaking incomplete and wholly inadequate."

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of the 118th Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties.