Legislators outline local impact of state budget

State Sens. Pete Harckham and Shelley Mayer at Tuesday’s town hall in Bedford Hills.

By LOGAN KREISBERG

New York State Sens. Pete Harckham and Shelley Mayer met with constituents Tuesday evening at the Bedford Hills Community House, where concerns about deteriorating roads, rising utility bills and school funding dominated the town hall.

In May, the State Legislature enacted a record $268.1 billion state budget that included funding for education, transportation, infrastructure and tax relief. Although the meeting was described as an overview of the 2026 state budget and legislative session, much of the discussion focused on how Albany’s decisions have a local impact.

Mayer highlighted education funding, noting Bedford Central School District received a 2% increase in state aid this year, bringing its total allocation to about $5.4 million. 

While the increase represents progress, she argued schools continue to face infla- tionary pressures and rising operating costs. She also highlighted the state’s expanded investment in full-day pre-kindergarten, the recently enacted statewide cellphone bans in schools and the five-year delay of New York’s electric school bus mandate to allow districts more time to build charging infrastructure.

“It’s foundational to our democracy that our public schools are as good as they could be,” Mayer said. 

Harckham emphasized infrastructure and affordability, pointing to a $50 million increase in state funding for local roads and highways and a $750 million annual commitment for drinking water and wastewater projects. He said he and Mayer continue to push for additional funding to resurface portions of Route 22 and Route 133, while advocating for more transportation dollars for the Hudson Valley.

Addressing rising utility bills was another budget priority discussed by the state lawmakers. Mayer outlined legislation aimed at increasing oversight of utility companies — like Con Edison — while Harckham emphasized the need to balance clean energy goals with lower costs for consumers. 

During the question-and-answer session, residents raised concerns including from the future of health care in New York, the state’s post-retirement earnings cap for public retirees, and affordable housing. 

Tuesday’s event was one of a series of regular constituent meetings held across the district, with Harckham hosting monthly in-person conversations for constituents. 

“Our job is to be present, to explain what we’ve done, and to answer questions or to take complaints,” Mayer said.