Budget provides $31.5 billion total in school aid for 2023 school year, the highest level of state aid in history

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) – Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted the historic 2023 budget investments in early childhood education during a visit to a Long Island school on Wednesday. The Enacted Budget provides an additional $125 million to expand access to full-day pre-K for four-year-old children, creating approximately 17,500 additional pre-K seats statewide.

"It takes a village to raise a child, and in New York we are working to ensure parents and caretakers will have the resources they need to support their children," Governor Hochul said. "Investing in the care and schooling of our youngest New Yorkers is crucial – they are at the most important stages of their lives for development and growth. The historic funding in the Enacted Budget will go a long way to provide quality pre-K, K-12 education and child care to families across the state. As a mother, I know how important these resources are not only for children, but for parents, too, and my administration will continue to invest in every stage of a child’s growth."

The Budget provides $31.5 billion in total school aid for the 2023 school year, the highest level of state aid in history. The investment represents an increase of $2.1 billion this year, compared to $1.5 billion in the 2022 school year.