New York Leaders Warn of Tax Hikes if Department of Education Is Eliminated

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand warned that the possible eradication of the Department of Education (DOE), as suggested by President Trump, could lead to a spike in property taxes across the state.

The Democratic leaders convened for a press conference on the state of public education on Sunday, following reports that Democratic members of Congress were denied access to the Department of Education building.

They expressed concern over Trump's plans to eliminate the department through an executive order and subsequently seek legislation to abolish it entirely.

Hochul highlighted the potential impact on New Yorkers' taxes, stating, "This is $5.5 billion that the State receives annually from the Department of Education -- $3.2 billion goes directly into our budget, $2.3 billion goes to localities. If that money is jeopardized, localities will lose that money and will have to raise taxes."

She further elaborated, "For outside the city, your largest part of your local property tax bill is your school taxes. If that money evaporates from the federal government, where are they going to go? This is going to hit homeowners and businesses, and I want them to be aware of this consequence."

Trump has hinted at his desire to eliminate or reduce the DOE since his first term, aiming to trim the size of the federal government.

During a rally in Wisconsin, Trump stated he was "dying" to return to office to "eliminate the federal Department of Education," claiming that he would "drain the government education swamp" and halt the misuse of taxpayer dollars in education.

Ending the department would eliminate various critical programs, including free lunches for low-income students and Pell Grants that support college attendance for around 7 million students each year. Some of these programs might be shifted to other agencies.

As the debate rages on and further divides Congress, Hochul urged action from Republican members in Congress. "I want to know where New York State Republican members of Congress are on this issue. Where are you? You are elected to represent the people who are going to be adversely affected, especially our children. If you can't speak up for them, then get out of your job," she stated.

The DOE was established by Jimmy Carter in 1979, following a split from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Its creation aimed to ensure fairness and equality in education, which Carter deemed a fundamental right for all Americans.