Congressman Mike Lawler and Senator Bill Weber on Monday renewed calls for significant adjustments to the state’s Regional Labor Force Cost Index, which both said treats their shared home county of Rockland and other Hudson Valley counties unfairly – cheating local schools out of millions in funding they deserve.
Currently, the State of New York classifies Rockland County as part of the Upstate New York “region”, despite the cost of living in Rockland being closer to New York City and Long Island than to smaller, more rural enclaves upstate.
“During my time in the State Assembly, I sponsored legislation (A-4648 and A-6743) aimed at addressing this deeply flawed funding formula and its devastating impact on our local schools,” said Rep. Lawler, who served in Albany from 2021-22 before being elected to Congress. “Not surprisingly, Gov. Hochul and majority Democrats buried my bill and never let it advance. Our parents, children, teachers, school staff, and everyday taxpayers deserve better.”
Senator Weber said the Regional Cost Index calculation is particularly harmful to the East Ramapo Central School District, where it is estimated they are cheated out of $20 million more per year in state funding.
“My opponent, former Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, had a chance to stand with then Assemblyman Lawler and deliver bipartisan momentum in the State Senate behind a Regional Cost Index fix – and he refused. Even worse, Lawler had to go to Orange County to find a Senate sponsor for his bill, namely Senator Martucci. Elijah’s inaction hurt local taxpayers and cheated local children,” said Senator Weber. “That’s why one of the first things I did upon being elected was reintroduce Mike’s bill and have Assemblyman John McGowan join me as the sponsor in the Assembly. During this past session, sadly, once again, the majorities in both chambers have done nothing to help. They should join me in righting this wrong.”
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