Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D, I-Utica/Rome) attended a virtual joint legislative budget hearing on Wednesday, January 26, to discuss proposed funding in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Executive Budget Proposal for elementary and secondary education.

"As we continue to navigate our way through the pandemic, it is of the utmost importance that we address the effects this pandemic has had on the mental health of all of our students. That includes the impact on special education and students enrolled in special education programming," Buttenschon said. "It is also critical that we expand afterschool activities so that our students can be engaged in their studies, extracurricular programs, and the community."

Buttenschon also asked State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa if SED has a strategic plan to address unfunded mandates from the state or federal level that can impact local school district budgets, a concern raised by many superintendents from the 119th District.

"I want to thank Commissioner Rosa for meeting with the legislature to hear our concerns and answer the questions we've brought forward," Buttenschon said.

Wednesday's hearing included testimony from various organizations impacted by the Governor's Executive Budget Proposal, including the presidents of United Federation of Teachers and New York State United Teachers, the Conference of Big 5 School Districts, representatives of state supported 4201 schools, the NYS School Boards Association and the NYS Council of School Superintendents, along with representatives from New York charter schools, catholic schools, BOCES, transportation providers and others. Buttenschon is a member of the Assembly's committees on Education and Higher Education.