ALBANY, N.Y. May 28, 2015 — New York State United Teachers today accelerated its push against Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed tax giveaway to the wealthy, expanding its multi-media campaign against education tax credits to include new billboards, print and Internet advertising, social media and an expanded radio buy.
NYSUT President Karen E. Magee said the union’s campaign will educate New Yorkers that, “Once again, the governor has his priorities all wrong. This scheme is nothing more than a gift to the millionaires and billionaires who supported his campaigns at the expense of public education. If a wealthy donor wants to give $1 million to a private school, we think that’s terrific. But why should he get a 75 percent state tax credit for doing so?”
NYSUT Executive Vice President Andrew Pallotta added, “State tax dollars should not go — directly or indirectly — to private schools, which can discriminate by picking and choosing which students they accept. Our public education system serves all children. Investing in public education should be the state’s top priority.”
Billboards along I-787 and I-90 in Albany now picture a scowling Cuomo next to the message, “Tax Credits for the Rich: Another Bad Idea.” A second billboard reminds motorists, “Invest in our schools, not giveaways to the rich.” Similar ads will appear on social media, in traditional print newspapers and on news websites through the projected end of the legislative session on June 17.
Meanwhile, a substantial new radio campaign offers a stinging condemnation of Cuomo’s plan — with direct quotes from Albany Times Union and The New York Times editorials opposing his scheme.
“Private schools, public tab. According to the Albany Times Union, that sums up Governor Cuomo’s latest scheme to give tax breaks to the super rich and divert funding away from public education,” the radio ad says. “It’s called the Parental Choice in Education Act, but it’s really designed to let big corporations and billionaires funnel money to elite private schools of their choosing in exchange for huge tax credits. No wonder the Times Union writes, ‘It’s a public-private partnership of the worst sort — the public pays the tab, private schools and wealthy donors reap the benefits.’ And, The New York Times warns, ‘It could cost the state more than $150 million a year. That money should be used to help almost 2.7 million public school students.’”
The narrator concludes, “New Yorkers agree. We can’t afford another tax break for billionaires. It’s time Albany fully and fairly funded public education to help all children succeed.”
New York State United Teachers is a statewide union with more than 600,000 members in education, human services and health care. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.
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TRANSCRIPT
"Private schools, public tab." According to the Albany Times Union, that sums up Governor Cuomo’s latest scheme to give tax breaks to the super rich and divert funding away from public education.
It’s called the Parental Choice in Education Act, but it’s really designed to let big corporations and billionaires funnel money to elite private schools of their choosing, in exchange for huge tax credits.
No wonder the Times Union writes, “it’s a public-private partnership of the worst sort – the public pays the tab, private schools and wealthy donors reap the benefits.”
And the New York Times warns, “it could cost the state more than $150 million a year. That money should be used to help almost 2.7 million public school students."
New Yorkers agree. We can’t afford yet another tax break for billionaires. It’s time Albany fully and fairly funded public education to help ALL children succeed.