NY A09545

Increases the regional labor force cost index for the Hudson Valley region from 1.314 to 1.425 for state school aid calculations, effective in the 2026-2027 school year and thereafter

Equalizes the Hudson Valley index with the Long Island/NYC region, both set at 1.425, the highest index level among all regions

Maintains all other regional cost indices at their current levels, including Capital District (1.124), Southern Tier (1.045), Western New York (1.091), Finger Lakes (1.141), Central New York (1.103), Mohawk Valley (1.000), and North Country (1.000)

Preserves the separate Westchester County index of 1.351 established for the 2025-2026 school year

Regional cost indices are used to adjust state school aid based on labor market costs in professional occupations requiring credentials similar to education positions