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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul will announce in the coming days her support to fund universal school meals in the next state budget as part of her State of the State executive agenda, sources told Spectrum News on Wednesday.
It is estimated to cost about $250 million for universal coverage for all school districts in the state. Currently, about $145 million of the state’s $237 billion budget funds free school meals in low-income districts.
New: Sources say @GovKathyHochul will announce Friday her support to fund universal school meals in the next budget as part of her State of the State.
It’s estimated to cost ~$250M for universal coverage for all districts
About $145M covers free meals in low-income districts now
Several state lawmakers have pushed for universal school meals over the last few years. A proposal was introduced in the state Legislature last year by state Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas and state Sen. Michelle Hinchey, but did not get past committees. The same legislation was reintroduced on Wednesday as state lawmakers returned to Albany for the new legislative session.
Universal school meals is also supported by state Attorney General Letitia James.
In 2023, expansions in eligibility at the federal level and state budget subsidies expanded the number of students who could take part in free school meals.
Eight states in the U.S. currently have universal free school meals for students. At the national level, a bill was introduced in Congress last year that would provide free breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack to all students regardless of income.
Hochul will lay out her executive proposals in her annual State of the State address in Albany next Tuesday.
