Rockland County Participates in Agudath Israel Delegation to Albany

On Wednesday, Agudath Israel led a delegation of advocates from Rockland County, Orange County, and Sullivan County to Albany to advocate for our community’s needs. 

This was the first installment of Agudath Israel’s three annual advocacy missions to Albany, which give local representatives the opportunity to speak to their legislators about issues of concern to New York’s Orthodox Jewish communities.  

Participants met with State Senators Peter Oberacker, James Skoufis and, Bill Weber, and Assemblymembers Karl Brabenec, Chris Eachus, Pamela Hunter, Dana Levenberg, John McGowan, and Nader Sayegh, as well as staff members of Senators Peter Harckham, Michelle Hinchey and Shelley Mayer, and Assemblymembers Aileen Gunther and Amy Paulin.  

One of the main issues discussed with the legislators was that of the Non-Profit Security Equipment grant (NPSE). Advocates asked legislators to increase the program’s funding allocation to $60 million.  

Another topic discussed was busing for nonpublic school students. State law requires school districts to provide transportation to all eligible students to and from school, both public and nonpublic. Districts with a large number of nonpublic schools often have varied arrival and dismissal times and struggle to meet the state mandate. In some instances, the limited number of buses has led to children being on a bus for 90 minutes. This has caused many parents to forego their state-mandated and safe school bus transportation and instead transport children on their own, adding unnecessary expense, loss of work, and added traffic to these communities. Participants discussed this issue with the legislators and asked them to address the needs of their children so they receive adequate transportation. 

The delegates also discussed other issues – including expanding child care funding, universal free lunch, and mandated services aid – with the legislators.  

“We had a very productive day of meetings,” said Rabbi Shragi Greenbaum, director of Agudah’s Rockland County Regional Office. “We are grateful to all those who joined us in Albany this year to advocate on behalf of our community.” 

Photo Credit: Agudath Israel

“