CapCon: Hochul Open to School Aid Concerns, CapCon Q&A With Assembly Housing Chair Linda B. Rosenthal

Plus, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is subpoenaed, and Assembly Health Chair Amy Paulin makes a new argument for a controversial bill.

Good afternoon — it’s Tuesday, and National Cheese Doodle Day.

TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2024

TODAY’S CAPCON: State Budget Director Blake Washington says new revenue could change the conversation on school aid; former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is subpoenaed by Congress; CapCon Q&A with Assembly Housing Chair Linda B. Rosenthal; and more.

🔨 Is Tomorrow a Session Day? Yes.

❄️ Tonight’s Weather: Albany: Rain likely, low 40s New York City: Rain likely, high 40s (National Weather Service)

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State Budget Director Blake Washington (Jim Franco/Times Union)

✏️ School Aid Update: State Budget Director Blake WASHINGTON told reporters Tuesday afternoon that Gov. Kathy HOCHUL is open to amending her proposal that would overhaul how the state distributes aid to local school districts.

• Hochul’s proposal would change the state’s Foundation Aid formula, which determines how much in state aid each district gets each year.

• But it would reduce aid, and lead to cuts, for many districts that have lost enrollment in recent years.

Top lawmakers have said Hochul’s proposal hasn’t sat well with Democrats in the Legislature, where lawmakers are expected to unveil their one-house budgets next week. More on that below.

• Assembly Speaker Carl E. HEASTIE told me last month that Democrats in his chamber “don’t think it’s an acceptable thing.”

• And Senate Majority Leader Andrea STEWART-COUSINS said Tuesday that members of her conference “are concerned about the education proposal the governor has put forward.”

But Washington said Tuesday afternoon that Hochul is willing to be more flexible on her proposal after her administration and the Legislature projected on Friday an additional $1.35 billion in revenue for the state over the next year.