Assemblyman Brian Maher (R,C-Walden) welcomed the inclusion of a delay to New York’s zero-emission school bus mandate in the final 2026-27 state budget, calling the change an important step toward easing financial pressure on school districts and taxpayers across the Hudson Valley.

The budget agreement delays the requirement that school districts and transportation providers purchase only zero-emission school buses from 2027 to 2032 and pushes full implementation of the statewide electric bus mandate from 2035 to 2040.

The delay follows continued concerns raised by school districts regarding costs, infrastructure readiness and operational challenges associated with the mandate. Districts across New York have warned that electric buses come with significantly higher upfront costs while also requiring expensive charging infrastructure and maintenance upgrades.

“This is a common sense adjustment that gives schools and local taxpayers much-needed breathing room,” said Meghan Hurlburt, chief of staff. “School districts are already managing rising transportation costs, staffing shortages and inflationary pressures. Delaying this mandate allows districts to plan responsibly without forcing additional financial burdens onto local communities.”

The budget also includes increases in Foundation Aid statewide, including a minimum 2% increase for every district, along with additional aid for English Language Learners, homeless students and foster youth.

Hurlburt said, “While additional school aid is important, Albany must also recognize the growing strain unfunded mandates place on schools and property taxpayers.”

“Schools want to provide the best possible education for students while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars,” Hurlburt said. “This delay acknowledges the reality many districts have been raising for years—the timeline was simply not realistic.”

“Assemblyman Maher has been tirelessly advocating for pushing this mandate out because the original timeline was simply not practical for school districts or taxpayers,” Hurlburt added. “He is pleased that the governor and legislative leaders listened to the concerns raised by him and his colleagues about the financial and logistical realities schools are facing. This delay provides districts with much-needed flexibility while allowing the state to pursue environmental goals in a more responsible and achievable way.”