Education

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6809: Relates to repair reserve funds for municipal corporations, school districts, board of cooperative educational services, district corporations and improvement districts

Relates to repair reserve funds for municipal corporations, school districts, boards of cooperative educational services, district corporations and improvement districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes repair reserve funds for school districts, directly supporting school infrastructure maintenance and facility upkeep as part of educational funding.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7504: Enacts the "Affordable NY act"

This bill, the "Affordable NY Act," increases property tax relief for homeowners and adjusts New York's personal income tax rates. It directly affects homeowners who qualify for the STAR (School Tax Relief) program by doubling the base exemption amount for enhanced STAR from $30,000 to $60,000 (effective 2025-2026) and linking future increases to the Consumer Price Index. For income taxes, it revises tax brackets, lowering rates for middle-income earners (e.g., reducing the top rate for income over $161,550 from 6.57% to 6.49% in 2019). The changes take effect immediately for some provisions and for others starting in 2025. These adjustments aim to reduce tax burdens for qualifying homeowners and middle-income taxpayers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases property tax relief for homeowners and lowers income tax rates for middle-income earners, providing direct tax relief per bill summary.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill increases STAR exemption, reducing school tax revenue which defunds K-12 schools by lowering local property tax contributions to school districts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Property Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5542: Includes underrepresented ethnic groups in the admission criteria for the science and technology entry program and collegiate science and technology entry program

Updates the admission criteria for the science and technology entry program and collegiate science and technology entry program to consider whether a student is a member of an ethnic group that is underrepresented in the eligible profession they are pursuing.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates admission criteria to include underrepresented ethnic groups in STEM programs, expanding educational access for marginalized students.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8955: Renames an office of addiction services and supports scholarship program the NYS Father Peter Young Memorial Addiction Professionals Scholarship Program

Renames an office of addiction services and supports scholarship program the "NYS Father Peter Young Memorial Addiction Professionals Scholarship Program"; codifies the purposes of such program as offering financial education assistance to individuals pursuing a bachelor's degree in addiction studies or the education requirements for an office of addiction services and supports credential at Alfred State College, Stony Brook University or Empire State University.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides scholarship funding for higher education in addiction studies at specific colleges, expanding educational access in a specialized field.70% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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vetoed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 4685: Provides for the inclusion of a faculty or staff member on the board of trustees of community colleges

Provides for the inclusion of a faculty or staff member on the board of trustees of community colleges elected by and from among the faculty and staff of the college.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds faculty/staff representation to community college boards, enhancing educator input in governance and aligning with support for institutional decision-making affecting education quality.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5106: Requires certain SUNY and CUNY schools to establish substance use recovery housing programs

Requires SUNY and CUNY schools with at least twenty-five percent of its undergraduate students living on campus to establish substance use recovery housing programs which shall include on-site counseling, mentoring, and peer support.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires substance use recovery housing with counseling/peer support, promoting rehabilitation to reduce recidivism - core criminal justice reform element.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates recovery housing with counseling at SUNY/CUNY, supporting student well-being and access to higher education through expanded support services.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates substance use recovery housing with on-site counseling/peer support, directly expanding mental health services access for students at SUNY/CUNY schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Substance Abuse

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 4, 2025

S 7702: Extends certain provisions of law relating to publishers or manufacturers providing printed instructional materials for college students with disabilities

Extends certain provisions of law relating to publishers or manufacturers providing printed instructional materials for college students with disabilities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends access to printed instructional materials for college students with disabilities, enhancing educational accessibility for a specific student group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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signed · New York · Senate Jun 26, 2025

S 8383: Relates to terms and conditions of employment for members of certain collective negotiating units; appropriates funds

Provides for the adjustment of stipends of certain incumbents in the state university of New York and designating moneys therefor; continues a doctoral program recruitment and retention enhancement fund; continues work-life services and pre-tax programs; continues a professional development committee; continues a comprehensive college graduate program recruitment and retention fund; continues a fee mitigation fund; continues a downstate location fund; continues a joint labor management advisory board; continues an accidental death benefit; makes an appropriation therefor.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill continues multiple state university funding streams (doctoral programs, graduate retention, work-life services) through budget appropriations, directly supporting fiscal allocation for public education programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill continues multiple SUNY funding streams including doctoral recruitment, graduate programs, and professional development, explicitly appropriating funds to support higher education employment and programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 5523: Relates to the placement of school crossing guards

Relates to the placement of school crossing guards; requires school crossing guards to be placed on each of the corners of streets adjacent to public and private schools in New York City serving students in grades K-8 and on each side of streets with more than four lanes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires crossing guards at NYC K-8 schools, enhancing safety infrastructure for student access to education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4523: Relates to excused absence of a public employee for mental health purposes

This bill (S 4523) creates a new paid leave entitlement for public employees in New York State to address mental or behavioral health needs. It directly affects all covered public employees, including state workers, county staff, school employees, community college personnel, and those in retirement systems. The key provision allows these employees to take paid leave for mental health appointments without using their accrued sick leave. The leave is specifically designated for mental health purposes and does not count against existing sick time. This policy change provides a clear, non-punitive way for public employees to access mental health care.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirectly supports school employees' mental health needs, enhancing educator well-being and retention without restricting education policies.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates paid leave for mental health appointments, expanding access to mental health services for public employees without using sick leave.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates new paid mental health leave for public employees, expanding worker benefits without requiring sick leave use.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Paid Leave Public Employees

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