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Assembly budget boosts early‑education and college access funding, expands child tax credits
Summary
The one‑house plan increases prekindergarten per‑pupil funding, expands tuition‑free two‑year college access at SUNY/CUNY, raises eligibility for TAP/Excelsior, and funds a larger child tax credit estimated at $825 million for FY 2025–26, officials said on the floor.
Chairman Pretlow told the Assembly that the one‑house resolution would expand early‑education and higher‑education access, including a proposal to provide free tuition for two‑year degrees at SUNY and CUNY and to raise per‑pupil prekindergarten funding to a reported minimum of $10,000. Pretlow said the Assembly would also expand income eligibility for TAP and Excelsior and provide additional loan forgiveness and program funding.
Pretlow quantified several of the education investments and framed them as part of the Assembly's priority to address cost pressures on families: "The assembly budget includes changes to the foundation aid formula to update regional cost index, increase reimbursement for English language learners," and he cited approximately $2.7 billion in additional education funding over current school year levels. Members asked for implementation detail and timeline; Pretlow said some implementation items would be addressed in committee and negotiations.
