Gov. Hochul announces $254 billion deal on New York State budget; includes school cellphone ban
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Gov. Kathy Hochul and New York lawmakers have reached a deal on a $254 billion budget for the next fiscal year, which includes a proposal to ban cellphones in public schools and a middle-class tax cut.
The governor made the announcement Monday night in Albany.
New York State would ban cellphones in public schools "bell to bell" beginning with the next school year under the agreement.
"We've protected our kids before from cigarettes, alcohol, and drunk driving, and now we're protecting them from addictive technology designed to hijack their attention," Hochul said in announcing the plan as part of a tentative budget agreement with state lawmakers.
Hochul did not immediately detail plans for the ban. Her office has previously said that schools would have some flexibility over how to implement it, with districts deciding how to store students' devices during the school day. There would be exemptions for students who need access for medical reasons, to help with learning disabilities or because they don't speak fluent English, she has said.
If approved, New York would join at least eight states - California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia - that have enacted measures banning or restricting students' use of cellphones in schools. Nationally, most schools say they prohibit cellphone use except for academic purposes, but educators say the rules are difficult to enforce when students are allowed to have the devices in hallways and at lunch.
"Bell-to-bell" bans like the one Hochul described are meant to remove the distraction altogether by restricting access during school hours, often over the objection of parents who say they want to be able to reach their kids during emergency situations.
New York City, which has the largest school district in the country, last year abandoned discussions for a cellphone ban because of parent concerns.
Other highlights of Hochul's plan include an increase of the state child tax credit, of up to a $1,000 per child under age four, and up to $500 for school-age children.
A $340 million investment in school breakfast and lunch programs will give K-12 students free meals and save their parents some money.
More than 8 million New Yorkers would get what the governor is calling an inflation reduction check of up to $200 for individuals, and up to $400 for families.
The governor also talked about a middle-class tax cut. She was short on details, but said tax rates will come down for more than 8 million New Yorkers.
Hochul also promised to keep up the state funding started earlier this year for the MTA aimed at making the subways safer by adding NYPD officers to overnight trains. They will stay, along with state funding to help get those sleeping in the subway or in need of mental health services the help they need.
Additionally, lawmakers have come to an agreement on an extra charge for people who wear masks while committing crimes or fleeing from the scene of a crime.
If approved, this will be an additional charge, not something someone can be charged with on its own. The measure would be passed as part of the budget.
Lawmakers are expected to begin voting on the $254 billion state budget this week.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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