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| Pataki school aid package slams school districts, property taxpayers Governor's proposal will drive up local property taxes by nearly 7 percent January 19, 2006 UPDATE FEB 1, 2006: ALBANY, N.Y. January 19, 2006 - Gov. George Pataki's $634 million school aid package would force many school districts to slash programs and lay off teachers and other staff - or risk the anger of property taxpayers with large tax hikes, New York State United Teachers warned today. "The governor's plan is a huge step in the wrong direction," said NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi. "His budget threatens the progress that school districts have made toward higher standards, while at the same time leaves homeowners with large property tax increases. Back-loaded tax cuts for the wealthy may play well in Iowa and New Hampshire, but middle-class New Yorkers want lower property taxes and a stronger state investment in their public schools. New York has an ever-widening achievement gap, and the governor's budget would drive that gap even wider." NYSUT projected today the governor's $634 million budget plan means the typical school district would need to raise property taxes by an average of 6.6 percent just to maintain present services. NYSUT's projection comes on the heels of research by the Educational Conference Board, a statewide education organization, which said districts must spend $2.15 billion more next year to maintain current programs and services. In October, the state Board of Regents called for a $1.34 billion increase in state aid - more than double the governor's proposal. "The governor's school aid package ignores today's realities," Iannuzzi said. "He wants to shift even more of the responsibility of paying for education from the state to local property taxpayers." NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan B. Lubin called on the Legislature for relief. "Without a significant boost in state aid, school budget votes in May will be a disaster," Lubin predicted. "The price of heating oil is up 21 percent over December 2004. The diesel fuel used in school buses now costs some 45 cents a gallon more today than a year ago. And, school districts also face higher costs for employees' salaries, health insurance and other benefits. Property taxpayers cannot and should not be asked to shoulder these increased costs. "The governor is ignoring fiscal reality - all so he can gussy himself up for a national audience," Lubin added. "His so-called property tax relief is a shell game that puts money in one pocket and snatches it from the other. Fortunately, legislators from both parties have shown they understand the importance of properly funding public education." The 525,000-member union also criticized the governor for proposing to give much of the state's $2 billion surplus to the wealthiest New Yorkers, while turning his back on the needs of grossly underfunded public schools in New York City and other parts of the state. "New York City and other big city districts, as well as many rural ones, need an even greater state investment - like the one the state's highest court ordered in the CFE case," Iannuzzi said. "Yet this governor continues to thumb his nose at children in these underfunded districts who deserve the same educational opportunities as children in more affluent suburban schools. Ignoring CFE in this budget is nothing short of shameful." 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- For More Information
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For More Information NYS Educational Conference Board calls for a statewide solution to Campaign for Fiscal Equity ruling Governor turns back on seniors, students and middle-class Executive budget documents School Aid CONTACT: NYSUT Media Relations and Communications. (518) 213-6000, Ext. 6313. E-Mail: mediarel@nysutmail.org. |
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