We are no strangers to the increased antisemitism in New York State since the Hamas attacks on October 7. We are also no strangers to the need for school security – and now, more than ever, our students need protection.
This week, both the Senate and Assembly released their budget proposals (also called One House budgets), which lays out their priorities for the final budget that needs to be negotiated with the governor and passed by the end of this month. The budget framework included several items of importance to yeshivas and their families, but none more important than security funding.
Agudah’s top priority this budget season was doubling the funding for the Nonpublic School Safety Equipment (NPSE) grant to $90 million. Thanks to the advocacy efforts of Agudah and other nonpublic school groups, over 70 legislators signed onto letters supporting the increase. We thank Senator Michael Gianaris and Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi for leading that effort.
We are pleased to report that the Assembly included $65 million for NPSE and the Senate allocated the entire $90 million in their funding request.
We need to ensure that the full $90 million allocation is included in the enacted budget, and signed by the governor.
Please fill out the action alert below to contact Governor Hochul as well as your legislators and urge them to continue supporting $90 million for the NPSE.