In what appears to be a major change from the policy position she took last year during state budget negotiations, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s spokeswoman said the governor wants “to avoid proposals that would negatively impact school budgets, such as eliminating the hold-harmless provision of the Foundation Aid formula.”

"Hold harmless," also called "save harmless," protects school districts from funding reductions despite enrollment drops.

Last legislative session, the governor had questioned that provision in the Foundation Aid formula because so many school districts had seen drops in enrollment. 

While this change appears to be good news for education stakeholders, state Senate Education Committee Chair Shelley Mayer told Capital Tonight that quotes aren’t the same as policy.

Mayer said before she comments, she wants to see the governor’s executive budget. She also described the Rockefeller Institute’s five-year phase-out of save harmless as a non-starter for her. 

She spoke with Capital Tonight’s Susan Arbetter.