January 4 , 2006

ALBANY, N.Y. January 4, 2006 - New York State United Teachers today said that Gov. George Pataki's legacy hinges not on his final State of the State address, but rather on his leadership in closing the funding gap and adequately funding all of public education, from pre-K to public colleges and universities.

"Some pundits are looking at the governor's speech as an effort to cement his legacy," said NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi. "Speeches don't do that; leadership and action do. Governor Pataki's legacy will ultimately be measured by what he does for students most in need.

"The governor often speaks about 'bold, sweeping, historic changes.' Nothing could be bolder or more historic than taking the steps necessary to close the funding gap between wealthy districts and low-income urban and rural school districts."

NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan B. Lubin noted New York state public schools have made tremendous strides over the last decade. He said the governor and Legislature deserve credit for helping to drive the standards movement forward. But there's still much to be done.

"Children in many schools are struggling to read and do math at grade level in overcrowded classes with outdated textbooks," Lubin said. "The governor and the Legislature have supported the push to higher standards, but there's a core group of students who are stuck at the bottom of the academic ladder because they live in economically depressed neighborhoods. New York needs to lift all students to those standards."

Lubin said the 525,000-member union is awaiting details on some of the proposals contained in the governor's speech. "Many of the governor's words will take shape and form in his education budget," Lubin said. "Despite new nanotech facilities, New York's economy still lags behind the rest of the nation and the world. The best way to fix our economy is to fix our education system. Our priority will be to ensure that public education - including the state's community colleges and public colleges and universities - has the resources it needs to lead New York to economic prosperity."

NYSUT, the largest union in New York state, represents more than 525,000 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.

-30-

NYSUT, the largest union in New York State, represents more than 525,000 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.

For More Information

State of the State 2006. Complete text of Gov. Pataki's address.

CONTACT: NYSUT Media Relations and Communications. (518) 213-6000, Ext. 6313. E-Mail: mediarel@nysutmail.org.

NYSUT.ORG. Copyright New York State United Teachers. 800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, New York, 12110-2455. 518.213.6000.