Thanks Assembly for Standing Strong
(Long Island, NY) Today the Governor and the legislative leaders announced a deal on legislation to close out the legislative session. The Alliance for Quality Education issued the following statement in reaction.
“We saw one of the most massive spending sprees in recent history funded by hedge fund billionaires who wanted a huge increase in the number of charter schools and a sweetheart tax credit deal for donations to private schools. This campaign, which was championed by Governor Cuomo as part of his ongoing attacks on public schools, was soundly defeated. This happened due to the leadership in the Assembly and grassroots organizing and mobilization all across the state. We would especially like to recognize the leadership of Speaker Carl Heastie and Assembly Education Chair Cathy Nolan, as well as the rank and file members of the Assembly, in holding firm against more school privatization,” said Billy Easton, Executive Director, Alliance for Quality Education. “Despite the Governor’s spin to the contrary there is no actual increase in the overall charter school cap.
“While we are pleased with the outcome on education, we are deeply concerned that the rent laws were not strengthened as millions of New Yorkers rely on these tenant protections to stay in their homes. Stable housing is essential to ensuring students are ready to learn. Governor Cuomo simply did not deliver on his promise to stand up for tenants.”
