Empire State Today

The New York Republican State Committee has issued a statement addressing recent comments made by Governor Kathy Hochul and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. The statement comes in response to what the committee describes as "hysterical" threats of tax increases should the Department of Education face closure.

The NYGOP highlighted New York's current educational spending, stating, "Kathy Hochul and Kirsten Gillibrand are crying poverty while New York already spends more per student than any state in the nation, a staggering $35,000+ per pupil annually."

According to the committee, closing the federal Department of Education would not negatively impact New York taxpayers. They argue that such an event would merely eliminate an opportunity for Democrats to misuse public funds. The statement continues by challenging Hochul and Gillibrand to justify the low proficiency rates among students despite significant financial investment in education. "Instead of threatening tax hikes, Hochul and Gillibrand should explain why less than half of New York’s kids are proficient in reading or math despite record spending," said NYGOP Spokesman David Laska.

The committee's statement suggests that accountability is lacking among Democrats both in Albany and Washington.