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Lawler: Rockland County Schools Hurt By Unfair State School Aid Formula And Jaffee Funding Cuts; Vows To Fix It

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6 years ago

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PEARL RIVER, NY – This year, due to COVID-19, all registered voters in Rockland County will be mailed a ballot to vote in their local School District Elections, including on the 2020-2021 school budget. You must return your ballot to your respective school district by June 16th.

Before you vote, though, you should know, that Rockland County schools have been hurt year-after-year, by an unfair state school aid formula, that shortchanges our children and increases our property taxes.

An episode of “A Minute with Mike” – he talks about the unfair state school aid formula which has shortchanged our children and increased our property taxes.

We already pay the second highest property taxes in the nation and have a high cost of living, yet the school aid formula treats our labor costs the same as Poughkeepsie, as opposed to Long Island and New York City.

My opponent, Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee, hasn’t fixed that broken school aid formula during her 14 years in Albany. Worse, just this year, she voted to cut state school aid to Suffern, Pearl River, and South Orangetown School Districts, while voting to create a $200 million dollar taxpayer funded campaign finance system.

It’s outrageous and has put our school districts and property taxpayers in the unenviable position of having to raise taxes, at a time when residents can least afford it, or make draconian budget cuts and consider layoffs to balance their budgets, in the event of a failed budget vote.

As your Assemblyman, I will fix this broken formula and ensure our public schools in Rockland County get their fair share of state school aid.

Article written by Mike Lawler, who is the Deputy Supervisor for the Town of Orangetown and a candidate for the New York State Assembly seat for the 97th district. He lives in Pearl River.

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Brett Yagel Announces Candidacy for New York State Assembly in 96th District

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3 months ago

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January 19, 2026

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ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Brett Yagel, the former Mayor of the Village of Pomona has officially announced his candidacy for the New York State Assembly in the 96th District.

Below you can read Yagel’s full announcement:

“I am proud to announce that I am seeking the support of the Republican and Conservative Parties as a candidate for the New York State Assembly in the 96th District.
I am not a career politician. I am a problem solver. As Mayor and as a professional working for one of the world’s largest defense contractors, I have spent my career focused on results, accountability, and getting complex jobs done the right way. Leadership and responsibility are not abstract concepts to me. They are values I have lived every day in public service and in the private sector.

Albany is broken. It is dominated by career politicians who create problems, expand government, and then ask for more power to fix the very messes they created. The people of the 96th District deserve better than politics as usual.

Our district needs a leader with real world experience, common sense, and the courage to challenge the status quo. I am ready to bring accountability, fiscal responsibility, and practical,
results driven solutions to Albany. Most importantly, I will be a strong and independent voice for the hardworking families of the 96th District.

If you are tired of excuses and ready for real results, I would be honored to earn your support.”

Yagel will running against incumbent Assemblyman Patrick Carroll.

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Congressman Mike Lawler Announces Bid for Reelection to Congress, Will Not Run for Governor

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9 months ago

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July 23, 2025

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Rockland County, NY — Congressman Mike Lawler, a lifelong Rockland County resident and graduate of Suffern High School, officially announced today that he will seek reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives, putting to rest speculation that he might enter the race for Governor of New York.

Lawler, who represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, said his decision to remain focused on Congress reflects his commitment to continuing the work he’s started on behalf of Hudson Valley residents. Since taking office in January 2023, Lawler’s office has closed over 6,000 constituent service cases and successfully returned more than $27.2 million to residents throughout the district.

One of his signature achievements has been his leadership in reforming the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap. Under Lawler’s advocacy, the SALT cap was quadrupled to $40,000, providing significant tax relief to middle-class families across the region for the next ten years.

Lawler’s decision not to run for governor preserves his role as a key Republican voice in a competitive swing district, and positions him for what is expected to be a closely watched race in 2026.
About Congressman Mike Lawler:

New York’s 17th Congressional District, includes Rockland and portions of Westchester and Putnam County.

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