General News

City Council leaders applauded

by Michael Hirsch

Aug 9, 2007 5:51 PM

Even with its crowded agenda, the June 13 Delegate Assembly took the time to give a prolonged applause and a standing ovation to three City Council leaders for spearheading the whistle-blower bill through the Council and then overturning a mayoral veto.

“They did more than hold a hearing,” Weingarten said as she thanked City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Investigations Committee Chair Eric Gioia and Education Committee Chair Robert Jackson. Referring to the whistle-blower bill, Weingarten said, “When something is wrong we want the opportunity to shout it out, and you have given us that ability to do our jobs.”

She also thanked the Council leaders for restoring millions in funding for needed schools priorities in the city’s budget.

“The biggest restoration was $21 million for Teacher’s Choice. And it wasn’t just a restoration,” Weingarten said. “They found another million, too, along with money for Provider’s Choice, work stations and furniture.”

Quinn returned the compliment. “It’s we who owe all of you. We can’t know it all, and if you hadn’t taken the risk and spoken up, this [whistle-blower] bill wouldn’t have been passed and you wouldn’t have another tool to help our school children.”

Gioia remarked that “no one should have to choose between their job and the interests of their students,” and observed how “now it’s not just the phys ed teacher who blows the whistle.”

Jackson called the legislation and the increased funding “a no-brainer for us,” and challenged the notion that his support for the legislation meant he was “in the UFT’s pocket” or that being on the union’s side was shameful.

“I’m a union member myself,” Jackson said. “I am you and you are me and, yes, I support the UFT.”