Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) hosted a press conference at Levittown Library calling on Gov. Hochul to restore her proposed $20 million cut to library construction aid included in her most recent budget plan.

This cut in funding would be detrimental to libraries in Nassau County and across the state.

Hochul still has time to amend her Executive Budget proposal. If she does not, Ra will make restoring the funding one of his top priorities during ongoing budget negotiations between the Legislature and the governor’s office.

Ra is the top Minority member on the Ways and Means Committee.

“Year after year, we see critical programs being used as political pawns for budget funding. I was hoping with a new governor leading our state the political games would end, but clearly that’s not the case,” said Ra. “Throughout the pandemic, our libraries took action to continue to provide essential services to members of our community. Instead of slashing their funding, they should be receiving the aid they need to keep their doors open and services operational for all to enjoy.”

“Libraries not only are the hub of our communities but also serve a vital, essential need for so many residents. Not only as a source of books and entertainment but they provide a safe place for community gatherings, a reliable source of internet when so many are still without high-speed access all across our state, and provide critical programming — like blood drives and educational programming for children and adults alike,” said Assemblyman John Mikulin (R,C-Bethpage). “Our libraries deserve more from Albany — not less. This is absolutely not the time to be cutting funding for libraries. I adamantly oppose Gov. Hochul’s proposed cut to our libraries and will be fighting against it as budget negotiations continue.”