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AGENCY TESTIMONY

Education funding concerns for 3-K and Pre-K programs

3:41:11

·

68 sec

Comptroller Lander highlights concerns about insufficient funding for Department of Education programs, particularly 3-K and Pre-K.

  • He estimates that more than $150 million additional funding is needed annually in FY 2026 to sustain 3-K and Pre-K programs at current levels
  • Lander criticizes the mayor's budget approach, calling DOE and 3-K resources 'casualties of the mayor's perennial budget games'
  • He expresses surprise at the executive budget's failure to address childcare voucher funding issues arising from the state budget
Brad Lander
3:41:11
The city budget must reflect our shared values and should not be used as a tool to further one executive's apparent desire to collude with Trump, but rather should be used to invest in our families and children and protect the most vulnerable New Yorkers.
3:41:27
But for one issue that I really have to underline, unfortunately, resources for DOE and three ks in particular continue to be among the casualties of the mayor's perennial budget gains.
3:41:39
Although the May plan includes some additional funding for three ks and pre k, we estimate that more than $150,000,000 more is needed annually in FY twenty six to sustain those programs at current levels.
3:41:52
And meanwhile, in a way that I think was a surprise to everyone, the executive budget doesn't reckon with the reality that the state budget has left us around childcare vouchers.
3:42:03
It's wonderful that we have tens of thousands of families now able to access affordable care.
3:42:11
While the state encouraged the city to increase enrollment, it did not make clear, and it is now requiring, that the city is being hit with half the bill.
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