In advance of the upcoming 2025 state budget and legislative season, NYSSBA has published our 2025 Legislative Priorities booklet. The document includes a wide range of issues NYSSBA has already begun advocacy on, as well as a variety of topics in line with NYSSBA’s official positions that we feel are important to share. The booklet will be delivered to all state legislators, the Governor’s office and other education policymakers in the state.
NYSSBA’s 2025 Legislative Priorities
In addition, NYSSBA has updated our official position statement brochure to include new positions that were adopted by voting delegates during our annual business meeting in October.
NYSSBA’s 2025 Position Statements
Further, NYSSBA has shared our 2025-26 executive budget recommendations with the Governor’s staff and other state policymakers. Recommendations are divided between those with a policy focus and those with more of a fiscal focus. NYSSBA has had, and is having, conversations with elected officials and staff about these recommendations in hopes for inclusion in the 2025-26 state budget.
NYSSBA 2025-26 Executive Budget Policy Recommendations
NYSSBA 2025-26 Executive Budget Fiscal Recommendations
Lastly, NYSSBA Governmental Relations staff has put together additional resources to help you identify and learn more about the policymakers that represent your district. The ‘Find My Representative’ map will be updated soon to reflect the new Congressional district lines that become official with the new year.
2025 New State Legislator Information
Governor Signs School Legislation
On Friday, Governor Hochul signed two bills that will impact school district operations. First, S.9292-A/A.9238-A (now Chapter 563) shortens the period of time over which transportation aid is provided to a district for the purchase and costs of zero-emission school buses (ZEBs), from twelve to eight years. NYSSBA strongly supported the bill, as it better matches the purchase process to the actual life expectancy of ZEBs.
Second, the Governor signed S.3397-A/A.9011-A (now Chapter 596), which requires school boards to enact policies for, and require staff to take action, when indoor heat reaches or exceeds eighty-two degrees. The new law further directs that rooms that reach eighty-eight degrees must be immediately vacated. The Governor indicated, in an approval memo, that some technical changes to the new law would be forthcoming to "clarify the process by which schools adopt extreme heat mitigation policies as well as ensuring school districts have the flexibility to determine how best to manage learning on extreme heat condition days." NYSSBA opposed the legislation, expressing numerous concerns about the feasibility and practicality of the legislation, as well as potential direct and indirect costs. Our letter to the Governor on the bill can be viewed below. We are pleased that our advocacy helped lead to important adjustments to the law.
NYSSBA Letter to the Governor on S.3397-A/A.9011-A
Lastly, NYSSBA-supported legislation was delivered to the Governor last week. S.4040-B (Mayer)/A.7532-B (Solages) would make reforms to the current Industrial Development Agency (IDA) structure, including by requiring each IDA board to have representation from at least one school board member or school superintendent. NYSSBA has an existing position statement that calls for school boards to be included in the development or extension of any payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement.
Member Advocacy Opportunities
February 7, 2025 – NYSSBA Annual Capital Conference (Virtual)
This half-day morning virtual advocacy conference will feature conversations with state policymakers, a review of the executive budget proposal and other important information to support your local advocacy efforts. As we have done in the past, the event will be recorded and shared with our members.
February 12, 2025 – NYSSBA Annual Lobby Day (In-Person)
Join us for our annual Lobby Day at the NYS Capitol. We will provide a light breakfast, coffee, and talking points. Legislative meetings are scheduled by attendees.