Talks still continue in Albany, but there are reports indicating that this year's final New York State budget will include legislation to delay the state's electric school bus mandate for five years. The bill, proposed by Syracuse-area Democrat Christopher Ryan, would give school districts until 2032 before they must transition from buying diesel-powered buses to electric buses. It would also extend the deadline for full fleet electrification by 2040. State Senator George Borrello says he's encouraged by the reports. He says while a delay is a "step in the right direction," he adds that his proposal to repeal the mandate and replace it with a statewide pilot program is a better approach.
