(Long Island, NY) The following statement was released today by Senator Bill Perkins in regard to remarks made by Senator Dean Skelos:
Today, Senator Dean Skelos publicly stated that he will not allow a vote on constitutionally authorized home-rule legislation that would implement the cornerstone components of Mayor de Blasio’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten plan—including the funding mechanism—an exceptionally modest surcharge on NYC’s wealthiest. This type of preemptive prognostication has no place in the legislative process of a representative democracy like the Senate where 63 individuals are elected to express and act upon local priorities.
Senator Bill Perkins represents the 30th District, part of New York County, Harlem, the Upper West Side and Washington Heights.
Ironically, myself and all of my colleagues stood on the Senate floor just last week and earnestly supported Senator Skelos when he brought much needed home rule legislation (Senate Bill 5922) to the floor that would authorize the City of Long Beach to issue bonds to help pay for Hurricane Sandy related damages. It was the right thing to do and we had his back; today it appears that his back is turned on our youngest and most vulnerable.
The constitutionally protected right of home rule—and the educational future of NYC’s three and four year olds—cannot be subject to the ideological whims and political calculations of a single State Senator.
Therefore, I urge Senator Skelos to honor the principle of home rule and let Mayor de Blasio’s Universal Pre-K plan to the floor for a vote when the Senate receives a home rule message from the NYC Council—just as we did with Senate Bill 5922 when the City of Long Beach needed our support.
