Hi Ashley, It's been very busy in the last couple of weeks in the AQE world. Advocacy days, hearings, press events… there's been a lot happening. From taking our message directly to policymakers, to using insights from hearings to fuel our next steps, and briefing lawmakers turning our organizing into real policy change - each moment of these busy past few weeks has marked a step towards making our priorities for public education and child care a reality. We're not just showing up, we're making sure our fight for equitable education is being heard at every level. | Gratitude for Another Incredible Advocacy Day! | First, a huge thank you to everyone who joined us on Tuesday for AQE Advocacy Day! We were 200 strong, meeting with elected officials in their offices, and delivering materials to every single legislator, making sure our message was heard loud and clear. Whether you joined us at the Capitol or engaged in advocacy from home, we made it clear that funding public education, universal child care, and ensuring the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share are top priorities for New Yorkers. It was a day full of energy where students, parents, educators, and community members from across the state came together to say, "Education is a right, fight, fight, fight!" | All smiles from team AQE! | Some incredible signs came out this year. | Special thanks to our amazing partners, including Citizen Action of New York, Make the Road, New York Communities for Change, Parents Supporting Parents, the YaYa Network, and The Circle Keepers, as well as our dedicated funders who make this critical work possible. | Make The Road NY turning the volume up. | The Circle Keepers keeping our energy high. | Fighting for Working Families | Last week, our network of parents and childcare providers from Rochester, Utica, and the Capital Region participated in the Empire State Campaign for Child Care for Child Care Advocacy Day! AQE is a proud core member of the ESCCC, committed to fighting for universal child care so that every child has the ability to thrive and their educators are compensated adequately. Our child care workforce is made up of women, particularly women of color, many of whom face the harsh reality of being severely underpaid and forced to leave their jobs to support their families. It's unacceptable that so many mothers are left to decide whether it "makes sense to work," when the cost of child care often matches their wages. For child care providers, the situation can be even more challenging. Too many women are severely underpaid and forced to leave their jobs so they can support their own families. Many programs struggle to find staff to operate at full capacity, leaving classrooms dark and unused while forced to turn families away. Investing in child care is a smart move. For every dollar spent, New York sees a return of $3 to $7, saving millions in future costs and supporting the long-term health of communities. | Our beautiful, diverse, and ever-growing campaign! | Lobby meeting with Nuestros Niños + St. Nick's Alliance. | Testifying in Favor of Foundation Aid Updates | On January 29, we testified at the Elementary and Secondary Education Budget Hearing in response to the Governor's proposed education budget. While Governor Hochul proposed minor adjustments to the equity formula, these changes are simply insufficient. The shift to new poverty measures and a lack of funding for pre-K and Community Schools do little to | Ending Harmful Punishments in Schools | On February 4, along with members of the YaYa Network, we participated in a press event with Senator Robert Jackson, Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, and members of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus to advocate for the Solutions Not Suspensions Act (S.134/A.118). The bill would limit harmful school suspensions and focus on non-punitive measures. We also called for $5 million in funding for educator training to implement restorative practices and culturally responsive teaching. | Critical Conversation on New York's Education Future | Yesterday, we participated in the Government Law Center at Albany Law School's program on current issues in New York State education. The panel discussed critical topics, including proposed changes to the Foundation Aid formula and emerging proposals like universal free school meals, highlighting some of the key challenges and opportunities facing our education system this budget session. | Exploring Racialized Power Structures Through Film… Tonight at 6pm! | Join us tonight at 6pm at New Plaza Cinema on the Upper West Side for a screening of Ava DuVernay's Origin, followed by a talkback we'll be moderating with Keris Lové. The film, based on Isabel Wilkerson's Caste, explores the connections between caste systems and the oppression of Black folks in America. In honor of Black History Month, this powerful film offers a timely conversation on race and power. | Legislative Briefing - What's Really in the Governor's Budget for Education and Child Care | The very next day, on February 5, we held a legislative briefing, sponsored by Senator Robert Jackson, to analyze the Governor's budget proposal and its impacts on both education and child care. Here's a quick rundown of our key priorities for FY 2026. | Next Steps: Stay Engaged as the Budget Process Unfolds | The Governor's Budget Proposal is now in the hands of the Legislature. In the coming weeks, both the Senate and Assembly will hold joint budget hearings. We testified last week at the Elementary and Secondary Education Budget Hearing (you can view it here!). As the budget process moves forward, use our side-by-side analysis to understand the key differences between the proposals on the proverbial table and what we're advocating for. Stay engaged as both chambers finalize their budget proposals throughout February and March, and let's make sure our priorities stay front and center! | Now is the time to make your voice heard! Send an email to your legislators and demand they prioritize a stronger public education system and invest in the child care workforce. We have the resources to make these priorities a reality, but we need political will to make it happen. | Help Us Address the Child Care Crisis | We need your help in addressing the staffing shortages that are exacerbating the child care crisis in New York. The Empire State Campaign for Child Care has created a brief survey to collect data on how low pay is affecting staffing and program capacity. Your responses will directly support our advocacy for additional funding in the New York State Budget negotiations. The survey takes only 5–15 minutes, and we ask that you complete it by Monday, February 10, at 11:59pm. | There's still much work ahead, and we need you to keep the pressure up in the coming weeks so we might hope to see our elected representatives pass a budget that reflects values of equity and fairness for all New Yorkers. Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to share this with a friend!
With heartfelt gratitude and solidarity,
| Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari Co-Executive Director | Marina Marcou-O'Malley Co-Executive Director | |
.JPG)
No comments:
Post a Comment