ALBANY, N.Y. January 31, 2011 - New York State United Teachers today released the following statement on the Senate's proposed tax cap legislation:
"Regrettably, this one-house bill crafted by the governor's office and taken up by the Senate majority is a disappointing example of business as usual," said NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi. "It only delays the constructive conversations that are needed to achieve real tax relief to maintain essential services for students. The potential of a zero cap is the wrong direction to go, and would be significantly more destructive to public education in New York state than any proposals circulated to date."
NYSUT Vice President Andy Pallotta said the union "remains willing, as we have said consistently, to be part of a real, constructive dialogue. It appears that those who support such a destructive proposal aren't interested in constructive dialogue, just in politics as usual."
NYSUT, the state's largest union, represents more than 600,000 teachers, school-related professionals, academic and professional faculty in higher education, professionals in education and health care and retirees. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.