ALBANY, N.Y. – After nearly a month of contention, a state budget deal has been reached in Albany. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that lawmakers have come to a general agreement on a $254 billion budget, which is about $14 billion more than last year.

The budget includes a $37 billion investment in schools, $110 million for building or renovating childcare facilities, and $50 million in general aid to cities and towns across New York.

Community college tuition will be free for some adult learners, and students in K-12 schools will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch.

Cell phones will be banned from bell-to-bell in schools. School districts are required to develop policies to enforce this decision.

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