  |
|
|
| NYSUT: Governor turns back on seniors, students and middle-class January 17, 2006 Albany, N.Y. January 17, 2006 - New York State United Teachers today blasted Governor Pataki's budget proposal, claiming it will slow educational progress and deny opportunity to hundreds of thousands of students while mortgaging the state's future. NYSUT leaders are particularly critical of the governor's failure to acknowledge a potential settlement of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit and his proposal to cut Medicaid. "The governor has turned his back on equity for New York's public school students, higher education and senior citizens," said NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi. "His budget might sound sweet in Iowa or New Hampshire, but to millions of New York's public school children and elderly New Yorkers, this budget is a very sad symphony. And it will sound even more off-key to New York's middle-class taxpayers, who'll be stuck paying the bill in the future. "The governor is putting the burden on middle-class New Yorkers to fund back-loaded tax cuts for the wealthy," Iannuzzi said. "It's reckless and irresponsible to drive the state into the red while ignoring pressing issues like the Campaign for Fiscal Equity decision. And it's reckless and irresponsible to cut aid for children in special education programs." NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan B. Lubin was especially critical of the governor's proposal to raise the cap on charter schools and provide a tax credit for private school tuition. "The governor's backdoor voucher plan is just a gimmick to make himself look good to conservatives in other states," Lubin said. "The governor said charter schools work, but the real answer is, we don't know yet. Charter schools are an experiment, and, so far, that experiment has had only mixed results. In the meantime, charters are draining resources from public school classrooms." Lubin called the governor's proposal to have the Division of Budget distribute $375 million in sound basic education aid "a retreat from equity." "Last year, this type of funding was distributed on a needs-based formula. This year, instead of 'sound basic education aid,' the governor wants to create bureaucracy-based education aid," Lubin said. Lubin noted it was disappointing that the governor's budget speech has only passing reference to public colleges and universities and community colleges. "This budget sends a message louder than words: the governor doesn't think public education is worth the investment," Lubin said." 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
|
For More Information Executive budget documents School Aid CONTACT: NYSUT Media Relations and Communications. (518) 213-6000, Ext. 6313. E-Mail: mediarel@nysutmail.org. |
|
| |