Re: School Budget Cuts

September 9, 2020 

 

Dear Ashley,

 

Thanks for your note regarding the very serious education cuts underway. I hear you  - and will do all I can to help fight for some restoration while advocating for some revenue raisers as well. It is "education devastation" and as a former Albany School parent - I know how painful these cuts will be.  Both of my children went to the Albany schools and my youngest graduated just three years ago, so this truly hits home.

 

I also agree we must not allow cuts to disproportionately fall on the shoulders of high-needs districts, and I feel strongly that all families should be given a hybrid option or choice - virtual learning only is not adequate or sufficient. Charter schools should not be exempt from any cut facing public school districts.  We have been assured that the charter schools would not be exempted - and are awaiting written confirmation.   

 

While New York State faces a $14 billion shortfall and does not have the fiscal resources to address or weather this unprecedented crisis,  I continue to strongly and repeatedly advocate for a federal stimulus package to provide us the relief needed for education, healthcare, housing, and state and local government to continue to provide essential services. In the absence of federal action and to protect New York's public schools; we also need commonsense revenue-raising proposals – rather than austerity measures. In the Assembly, I co-sponsor a host of revenue raisers, including:

 

A.4540: Pied-A-Terre Tax

A.10364: Ultra-Millionaires Tax

A.7791: Stock Transfer Tax

A.9748: Stock Buyback Tax

A.9053: Yachts & Jets Tax

 

I will continue to advocate for a resolution here and continue to work with colleagues in the Senate and Assembly to ensure that this urgent issue is addressed right away. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any further assistance.  

 

Stay healthy,

Pat

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From: "Ashley Chapple" <achapple12.luvsbball12@blogger.com>
To: "fahyp" <fahyp@nyassembly.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2020 8:58:20 PM
Subject: School Budget Cuts

Patricia Fahy, The New York State budget office is withholding 20 percent of the State's payments to school districts. Statewide, a 20 percent loss in school aid means that New York's schools are missing out on more than $5 billion in state aid. These cuts will hurt Black, Brown, and low income schoolchildren the most! I am writing to urge you and your colleagues in the State legislature to take immediate action to protect students and their future. Use the state's rainy day to prevent these catastrophic cuts to our schools. And pass S7378/ A10363 to raise revenue for our schools by raising taxes on the ultra rich. New York's students can't wait: we must prioritize children and their future by protecting our public schools. Ashley Chapple achapple12.luvsbball12@blogger.com 5 Austain Ave Albany, New York 12205