Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon (D-Utica/Rome) attended state budget hearings on Education and Environmental Conservation to ensure the Mohawk Valley’s concerns were heard. Both joint budget hearings were held virtually this week.

“Mohawk Valley families cannot be left behind in the state budget, which is why I’m continuing to fight for fair funding for local schools,” Buttenschon said. “Our school districts have been under tremendous financial stress and our teachers have faced immense challenges as they successfully took on the unprecedented challenges before them throughout this pandemic. They shouldn’t be forced to shoulder anymore costs or cutbacks. Therefore, we must ensure they receive the necessary funding to provide our children with a top-notch education that prepares them for future success. I will fight to secure full foundation aid funding for our schools in the upcoming state budget, as well as secure additional funding for maintaining afterschool programs and transportation expenses incurred due to the pandemic. This fight goes beyond today, as it will establish the path for our students for years to come.”

During the Education hearing, Buttenschon voiced her support to bring children back into the classroom safely and the importance of looking into expense aid. Topics she addressed during the hearing included:

• expense based aid remaining separate to support children's educational needs
• preventing the Governor’s proposed consolidation of expense-based aids into foundation aid, which will put the education of students at risk, particularly in districts which are already underfunded such as Rome and Utica, but also in other districts which do not have the same student demographics
• Mental health funding provided for evaluations, screenings and additional support staff to aid children who need these resources

At the Environmental Conservation hearing, Buttenschon voiced her support for the Mohawk Valley’s agricultural economy and increased protections from environmental threats. Topics she addressed during hearing include:

• enhancing flood mitigation efforts and requesting an update on mitigation efforts along Sauquoit Creek;
• asking if more funds are needed for public education awareness programs, such as for health issues like tick-borne disease;
• inquiring how meat packaging regulations could be amended to encourage products to be packaged in the state;
• preventing farmers from losing precise agricultural land to solar industry parks;
• voicing opposition to cutting funding for programs like Farmland for a New Generation New York and Nourish NY; and
• improving broadband access and affordability in upstate communities.