Power & Politics: Harris picks Walz, a plan to fix East Ramapo schools' finances
Pace University political science adjunct professor Kerriann Stout and State Sen. Bill Weber join the show.
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On this weekend's Power & Politics, Pace University political science adjunct professor Kerriann Stout provides insight into Kamala Harris' decision to pick Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate and State Sen. Bill Weber discusses his bill to rescue the East Ramapo Central School District from a major financial hole.
HARRIS-WALZ
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her new running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, have already begun campaigning nationwide.
The two have a lot of work to do with less than 90 days until Election Day. A recent poll found more than 70% of likely voters didn't know enough about Walz to form an opinion about him yet.
Still, Harris' stock has been rising across the country.
Pace University political science adjunct professor Kerriann Stout told News 12 why she believes the Democratic ticket is building momentum.
"Politics has been so heavy in the United States for so many years now and I think this sort of breath of fresh air that is happening with Harris and Walz may keep it going straight through until the election," she said.
EAST RAMAPO SCHOOLS
Republican State Sen. Bill Weber is calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to help the East Ramapo Central School District get out of its budget crisis.
He's asking for her to call for a special legislative session before the fall to have lawmakers vote on his bill that would give the ERCSD a $20 million loan.
The bill would effectively close the gap left open by the Board of Education and voters who only approved a 1% tax levy increase.
The bill came after the New York State Education Department called on the district to impose an additional 4.38% tax levy hike to make up the difference. The state also said the money would need to go to public school students, who are outnumbered more than three to one by private school students in the district.
The school district has been in financial disrepair for years over cuts to public school staff, programs and infrastructure.
Weber called it a win-win proposal.
"This bill will get the public schools the funding that they need without an interruption in any mandated services for the private schools,” he said.
