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| NYSUT to Governor: Best government reform is to start working now, not in June
January 5, 2005 UPDATE: Governor Pataki's 2005-06 Budget address will be broadcast live on the Internet Tuesday, January 18, starting at 11:00 a.m. Executive Budget documents also will be available on-line. School aid runs will be available at 3:00 p.m. in the Flag Room to members of the press and will also be posted on the Internet at www.budget.state.ny.us and stateaid.nysed.gov. ALBANY, N.Y. January 5, 2005--New York State United Teachers today called on Gov. Pataki to immediately begin public negotiations with the Legislature to address the recommendations of the special masters in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit. NYSUT also urged state leaders to focus on the looming crisis at New York's public university systems and community colleges. "The State of the State address is like the weigh-in for a boxing match," NYSUT President Thomas Y. Hobart Jr. said. "It's great to welcome everyone back to Albany, but round one really begins when the Governor releases his proposed budget." NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan B. Lubin called on the Governor and the Legislative leaders to start serious discussions as soon as possible. He said that NYSUT was disappointed that the governor didn't focus more on the State and City university systems and the state's community colleges. Lubin called public higher ed "the fuel that drives New York's economic engine." "There are too many important issues on the table for Albany to play the same circle and jab game," Lubin said. "The Governor should bring everyone together, in public, right now, and start negotiating the biggest issue on the table - school aid. "Every year, Albany waits until the clock is ticking down before they move forward. This year, the clock has already stopped ticking. Waiting until June to focus on issues like education, higher ed and health care just won't cut it. Everyone's talking about reform, and the best reform is to start working on the most important issues now, not in June." NYSUT, the largest union in New York State, represents more than 500,000 classroom teachers and other school employees; academic and professional faculty at the state's community colleges, State University of New York and City University of New York; and other education and health professionals. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO. |
CONTACT: NYSUT Media Relations and Communications. (518) 213-6000, Ext. 6313. E-Mail: mediarel@nysutmail.org. |
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