Keshia Clukey

2 days ago | newsday.com | Keshia Clukey

ALBANY — New York’s state budget includes $1 billion to cut greenhouse gas emissions and increase green energy projects statewide as well as $1.7 billion to reduce the risk of coastal damage along Long Island’s South Shore. The $254 billion state budget was passed by the State Legislature and approved by Gov. Kathy Hochul last week — more than a month after the April 1 deadline.

6 days ago | newsday.com | Keshia Clukey

ALBANY — Changes to New York's nearly two-decade-old method of allocating school funding will send more state dollars to districts to support English language learners and low-income students and guarantee at least a 2% increase in state aid annually. The changes, part of the state’s $254 billion budget, modify the complex funding formula known as Foundation Aid, which was enacted in the 2007-08 school year.

6 days ago | newsday.com | Keshia Clukey

ALBANY — The New York State budget would increase artificial intelligence protections, putting restrictions on "companion" bots and making it a felony to create, possess or share digitally generated child sexual abuse material, including "deepfake" image manipulations. State lawmakers began voting on the $254 billion budget on Wednesday and are expected to continue this week — more than a month after the April 1 deadline.

1 week ago | newsday.com | Keshia Clukey

ALBANY — Starting in September, students will be banned from using smartphones in school as part of the New York State budget, which includes $13.5 million for districts to implement the restrictions, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Tuesday.

1 week ago | newsday.com | Keshia Clukey

ALBANY — New York’s proposed state budget includes $340 million to cover the cost of school meals for all of the state’s 2.76 million students, but education advocates and state lawmakers worry the investment could be undercut by federal cuts under the Trump administration. Gov.