Yancey Roy reports in Newsday that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo proposed a three percent hike in education rather than the previously planned four percent increase, as the state faces a budget deficit. Cuomo proposed a $168 billion budget for fiscal year 2018-19, which the state legislature takes up this spring. Transportation, mental hygiene, and community colleges get budget cuts in Cuomo's proposal, and he would freeze direct state aid to counties, towns, cities, and villages. Currently, most voters in Greene and Rensselaer counties, and parts of Columbia County, have no representation in the state assembly with Pete Lopez and Steve McLaughlin recently vacating their seats for other jobs, and Cuomo not setting any special elections. Lawmakers are face an April 1 deadline to approve a budget. Read the full story in Newsday.