New York Gov. Kathy Hochul proposes universal free school meals
NEW YORK -- New York could become the next state to offer universal free school meals under a plan proposed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
They say there's no such thing as a free lunch. But if Hochul gets her way, all 2.7 million students in the Empire State would get free breakfast and lunch at school.
"In the wealthiest country in the world, this can no longer be tolerated. Not in America and definitely not in the great state of New York," the governor said.
Free school meals plan would end income requirements
Hochul announced her free school meals on Friday, as part on her efforts to make the state more affordable, before next week's State of the State Address.
The governor said she will ask lawmakers to approve free meals for all students, regardless of income, in her speech, because students perform better with full bellies.
"The data is clear. It sets our kids up for a life of positivity, engagement with others," Hochul said. "Food insecurity, it affects them later in life. They're more likely to suffer from heart disease as adults, they score lower on standardized tests."
There's also a pocketbook component to the proposal. If parents don't have to pay for school meals, the governor says they will save $160 per month per child. That's $2,000 for every kid in school.
In these tough economic times, parents say not having to pay for school meals means a lot.
"I can use that money that we save on meals to cover essentials like gas, utilities, even a pair of new shoes for my son. And he goes through a lot of new sneakers," said Isabella Lomax, of Long Island.
NYC students already get free meals
New York would join at least eight other states that have universal school meals programs. New York City, the largest school district in the U.S., already offers free meals to students.
NYC Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos agrees students learn more if they're not hungry.
"I was a principal and a teacher and I can tell you that out of my own pocket, I would make sure that I had plenty of snacks and plenty of foods in the office and in the classrooms, because we know that when kids come to school hungry and their needs aren't met, it is very hard to focus," Aviles-Ramos said.
Hochul has been rolling out a series of economic proposals addressing New York's high cost of living for the next legislative session. Measures to expand the child tax credit and send residents "Inflation Refund" checks of up to $500 are among her other proposals.
You can livestream the governor's 2025 State of the State Address on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 1 p.m. on CBS News New York.
