By Dave Lucas
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Albany, NY – A new report is out warning Governor Andrew Cuomo that large cuts to education in next week's executive budget would increase inequity and hurt students living in poverty and students of color the most. Capital District Bureau Chief Dave Lucas reports.
The Alliance for Quality Education and Citizen Action of New York have issued a paper entitled "Unequal Opportunity = Unequal Results" and launching a letter-writing campaign urging Governor Andrew Cuomo not to hurt the schools in his budget proposal next week.
AQE Executive Director Billy Easton says the group's findings point to a 788-million dollar funding gap between the state's wealthiest and neediest schools, with higher-income schools annually spending $1712 more per pupil. The report anticipates Cuomo budget cuts to school-aid in advance of the Governor's proposed 2 per cent property tax cap.
Assemblyman Jeff Aubrey labeled investing in education "an economic development tool" --- The report indicates that about 200 upstate schools are in danger of closing if budget cuts are implemented. Bronx Assemblywoman Vanessa Gibson stressed that New York cannot give up on its children
Activists suggest that money for education could be found by continuing the so-called "millionaire's tax" due to expire at the end of this year. Billy Easton promises the AQE will hold media events, make phone calls and conduct door-to-door campaigns to fight cuts to school aid.