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| NYSUT: Governor's budget proposal better than expected
January 18, 2005 UPDATE JAN 28: Urgent action needed on Governor's state budget amendments ALBANY, N. Y. January 18, 2005 - New York State United Teachers said today that, in the context of a $4 billion state budget shortfall, Governor Pataki's proposed education spending plan was a strong statement about the importance of properly funding public schools. "In any other year, Governor Pataki's budget proposal would be viewed as a fairly positive development for education," said NYSUT President Thomas Y. Hobart Jr. "But this isn't any other year. In the face of a tremendous deficit, the Governor's proposed increase makes a very strong statement: education is the state's top priority. Of course, the CFE decision will be a real determining factor in the final education aid number. But the Governor has chosen a pretty good starting point." NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan B. Lubin noted that while the Governor's school aid increase was a move in the right direction, his proposal does not meet the requirements of the CFE decision. NYSUT is also concerned about health care funding, Lubin said. "With a $4 billion deficit looming, the Governor's $526 million increase in education aid is a huge commitment to helping students meet the higher standards," Lubin said. "Obviously, we'd prefer a three-way agreement to the CFE issues, but this isn't too bad a start. "And the Governor seems to be moving in a more positive direction on public higher education, although there's still a long way to go before SUNY, CUNY and our community colleges are where they should be. "The cuts to Medicaid could have a devastating impact on hundreds of thousands of lower income families," he said. "We'll be working to make sure those families can receive the health care they need." Lubin noted that while there's still no agreement between the Governor and the Legislature on CFE, the Governor seemed to be taking a broad, statewide approach to school aid reform. "The Governor has recognized that, whenever it's finally agreed upon, the CFE solution cannot just be a New York City solution," Lubin said. "He's taken steps to push the debate toward a statewide answer that benefits every student in the state." 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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