State and local officials are expressing concerns over the Trump administration's pledge to cut the federal budget, potentially including a drastic reduction or elimination of the Education Department.

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) and other state leaders gathered Sunday in New York City, warning of possible "collateral damage" if the Education Department is shuttered.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) stated that if the department shuts down, more than 2.5 million K-12 students in schools across the state could lose federal funding. This includes half a million students with disabilities who could lose nearly $1 billion in annual support, and nearly a quarter million students learning English as a second language, who could be deprived of an annual $66 million.

Just last month, the acting superintendent of the Mount Vernon City School District announced at a school board meeting that a state-appointed "financial monitor" will start looking into the school district. However, it has not been revealed when that state monitor will be assigned. The district has had financial problems and declining enrollment for years and recently announced that the Mount Vernon Leadership Academy, the Cecil H. Parker School, and the Mount Vernon Honor Academy would close in June.

Gov. Hochul also highlighted that New York receives more than $5 billion in federal funding every year for its schools. She warned that if that money is lost, the impact could be significant. "If that money is jeopardized, what I can tell you will happen, localities lose that money, they will have to raise taxes," Hochul said. "And for people with disabilities, children with disabilities — my God, these are our most vulnerable — they deserve the support systems they have from loving, caring professionals who take care of them today."

Hochul also mentioned that money for higher education, like Pell Grants, would be impacted if those funds disappear.