Senator Bill Weber (R-38) pressed New York State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa over the controversial tax increase imposed on East Ramapo residents, questioning the rationale behind the decision amid major financial discrepancies within the school district.
Weber, who serves on the Senate Education Committee, is in a key position to hold state officials accountable on issues like this, giving him direct access to question Rosa on the matter. During a legislative session, he highlighted that just a year ago, state officials had warned that East Ramapo was facing a $20 million deficit and would be unable to meet payroll by July. This financial crisis led to discussions about implementing a fiscal control review board to oversee the district’s spending. However, later in the year, it was revealed that the district actually had a $30 million surplus—marking a staggering $50 million swing in its finances.
Despite these emerging financial realities, the state Education Department took the extraordinary step of directing the East Ramapo school board to override voter-approved tax measures. The board had initially passed a modest 1% tax increase, but under Rosa’s directive, they were forced to implement an additional 4.38% increase—raising concerns about government overreach and the accountability of public funds.
“You knew at that point, or you probably were getting an indication at that point, that the district wasn’t in a $20 million deficit, as we were misled to believe throughout the year,” Weber stated, demanding to know whether Commissioner Rosa regretted her decision and questioning how overtaxed residents could seek a refund.
Rosa, however, gave a vague and evasive response, dismissing any regrets over the directive. “For years, 10 years or more, this district has made no commitment to the children of East Ramapo,” she stated, deflecting concerns over the tax hike. She also suggested that the issue had been misrepresented, specifically regarding funding for English language learners, but failed to directly address Weber’s key points about the district’s burden placed on taxpayers.
