Saratoga Standard

Assemblyman Matt Simpson (R,C-Horicon) stood in solidarity with Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) and other members of the Assembly and Senate Minority Conferences during a press conference at the Capitol. The assembly members came together to introduce legislation (A.8447) aimed at providing school districts with more flexibility regarding the current state mandate requiring the purchase and lease of zero-emission buses by 2027.

Simpson voiced concerns about the feasibility of the mandate, particularly for upstate and rural school districts that face unique challenges compared to their downstate counterparts. He emphasized the financial and infrastructural constraints that many districts are already dealing with, stating, "Though amicable in its intention, mandating every school in the state to convert their fleets to zero-emission buses starting in 2027 neglects the significant expenses and logistics that come with such an ask."

The proposed legislation seeks to address these concerns by pushing back the deadline for the zero-emission bus mandate to 2045. This extension would provide school districts with a more reasonable timeline to navigate the complexities of transitioning their heavy-duty vehicle fleets.

Simpson highlighted the need for a detailed cost-benefit analysis before implementing such a significant change, stating, "It is essential the state develops a detailed cost-benefit analysis to address feasibility before implementing what is currently a lofty deadline."

The push for legislative relief underscores the challenges faced by school districts across the state and the importance of ensuring that any mandates are both practical and sustainable in the long run.