Away from the rallies and TV ads calling attention to issues like abortion rights and public safety, the shadow of the state budget in Albany is getting bigger. The next governor will likely be facing economic pain. Jasmine Gripper of the Alliance for Quality Education says issues facing schools have not been discussed.

Whoever wins the race for New York governor may face major questions next year for the state budget.

"Education isn’t being talked about, but it’s absolutely on the ballot this year," said Jasmine Gripper, the executive director of the Alliance for Quality Education, an advocacy group. "Who we vote in for governor will determine the educational future for New York’s children."

Health care and education remain the biggest-ticket items in the state budget, where spending has ballooned in recent years along with aid from the federal government and taxes on wealthy New Yorkers.

"This is why the governor really matters," Gripper said. "What’s their approach to fixing our economy? New York is one of the wealthiest states in the country."

Next year, education advocates are hoping for billions of dollars in education aid promised by Gov. Kathy Hochul, who struck an agreement with lawmakers in the budget this year to hit spending targets in direct aid for schools long desired by progressives. The development has been barely mentioned on the campaign trail, however. 

"We want the promise for New York’s children to be fulfilled and we need to make sure this is a top priority," Gripper said. 

But it’s not year clear if New York will have the money to meet that funding goal for schools. The Hochul administration has missed a deadline to release a key budget report potentially offering some bad news before the election. Hochul has not committed to when the document would be released.

"It will be out very soon. I know historically it’s been out in November," Hochul said last month. "So, we know it’s going to be worked on, so it’s important to get that message out very soon. We’re working on it. We’re working on it."

Like Hochul, Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin has not fully outlined his budget priorities, either. But he has indicated he wants to cut taxes across the board and find ways of saving money from the state Medicaid program.

"There’s just so many ways that the taxpayer is getting cheated," Zeldin said. "That’s probably the biggest ticket item, but it’s not the only item."