For Immediate Release
City teachers, parents, education advocates lobby in Albany
Mar 17, 2009 3:35 PM
A caravan of 1,500 New York City teachers, parents, students and education advocates traveled to Albany on March 17 to urge state legislators to protect public school classrooms from service erosions by adopting a progressive income tax and spending the federal stimulus package funding wisely.
While the infusion of federal stimulus funding will provide much-needed relief, the New York City school system still faces an estimated $500 million cut between the state and city budgets. Those proposed cuts would primarily be felt at the school level, translating into fewer courses, after school programs, less professional development for teachers, services, larger class sizes, and less funding for supplies and state-of-the-art technologies.
While attending a spirited rally at the Washington Avenue Armory, the day’s participants heard from a host of speakers, including Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, Assembly Education Committee Chair Catherine Nolan and Senate Education Committee Chair Suzi Oppenheimer.
“At a time that President Obama is calling for a comprehensive plan for public education, we are faced with cuts that will eliminate core services in the classroom,” said UFT President Randi Weingarten.
“While we understand these are difficult times, we have to protect our children's futures and our economic health, which is why we are proposing fair fiscal alternatives. No cutbacks are as harmful as those that affect our children. Today’s students are coming of age in an economy that demands ever-increasing skill levels and adaptability. We must work together to help retain programs like music, art, sports, diverse career and technical programs and Advanced Placement courses. Thriving schools are the core of New York City neighborhoods and these cuts must be prevented for the sake of not only our children, but our communities and city,” said Weingarten.
Following the rally, groups of teachers and other participants met with elected officials who represent their school neighborhoods.
The UFT’s push for fair fiscal alternatives to devastating school budget cuts includes “Fair Share Tax Reform” of the state’s personal income tax structure. A small increase for New Yorkers earning $250,000 and more would generate an estimated $6 billion annually. That funding, combined with federal stimulus funding that is spent efficiently and effectively, could help offset the deficit still facing NYC public schools.
The UFT was an early proponent of federal aid in this crisis and since last fall has advocated a tripartite solution: a federal economic recovery package including local and state subsidies, additional progressive revenues (not tax hikes and fee increases that will hurt the very people most affected by the downturn), and a hard look at spending to ensure that the cuts that are made don’t damage core public services, including direct student services.
“As New Yorkers, we are all responsible for our children's education — the students impacted by these cuts will not get a second chance,” said Weingarten. “That is why it is imperative we adopt an equitable alternative to public education funding cuts. The Personal Income Tax will help ensure that New Yorkers contribute their fair share towards protecting our children's education.”
The day’s rally and lobbying comes just two weeks before the state’s budget deadline, and on the heels of community and labor rallies held around the state on March 5. Additional activities are ongoing, including a fax and phone campaign to elected officials.
