Teachers unions and the NAACP press Hochul to "opt out right now" of the federal tax-credit scholarship she plans to join in 2027; her office says she still supports it and is waiting on Treasury rules due this month to check for "poison pills"

First day of free 2-K: Hochul and Mamdani open the program for 2,000+ two-year-olds in Washington Heights; state says its $73M start-up money grows to $425M by 2027, Mamdani promises 12,000 more seats next year

Hochul announces the first phase of a SUNY Brain Institute, a federated statewide neuroscience research network aimed at age-related brain disorders

Hochul says she will propose holding SUNY and CUNY tuition flat in the next budget; state cites TAP eligibility raised to $125,000 income, 28% increase in operating support, and free community college for adult learners via Reconnect