State Sen. Tom O’Mara says a proposed electric school bus mandate could hammer school districts and property taxpayers across upstate New York.
O’Mara raised the concerns during a state budget hearing on education proposals, where lawmakers questioned Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa about Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed budget.
The hearing focused on plans for elementary and secondary education, including a proposal to increase Foundation Aid — the state’s primary source of school funding — by just 1% for nearly 70% of school districts.
O’Mara said most rural districts in upstate New York fall into that 1% category. He argued the increase would not cover rising energy costs, let alone the cost of transitioning to electric school buses.
He also tied the funding proposal to rising property taxes, saying school taxes already rank among the highest burdens on New York residents.
O’Mara described the all-electric school bus requirement as the largest unfunded mandate school districts have ever faced. He warned it would push costs onto local taxpayers if the state does not provide funding support.
During the hearing, O’Mara asked what would happen if voters reject electric school bus purchases. Education Department officials said there is no clear answer and suggested the issue may require legislative consensus.
O’Mara responded by criticizing the mandate as poorly planned and expensive.
O’Mara serves as the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee and represents the 58th Senate District, which includes Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, and Yates counties, along with part of Allegany County.
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