Hochul's Budget Plan Sparks Concerns for Rural Schools and Housing

Some north country schools in New York are facing potential cuts in state aid under Governor Kathy Hochul's proposed budget, with districts like Sackets Harbor, LaFargeville, Alexandria, and Thousand Islands at risk of losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. The proposed changes stem from the elimination of the "Hold Harmless" provision, leading to concerns about skewed calculations of district wealth. While some schools are set to receive more funding, others are facing significant decreases, prompting bipartisan pushback and concerns about the impact on staffing and services for students.