ALBANY (AP) -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is snapping back at union-backed school aid advocates who he says are making bogus threats that children will be hurt by a rare cut in education funding.
Cuomo says instead of claiming cuts will increase class sizes and hurt instruction, schools should better manage their administrations. He says Thursday he knows from his investigations as attorney general that waste, fraud and inefficiencies abound in school districts.
The Alliance for Quality Education says Cuomo's proposed 7.3 percent cut in school aid will force thousands of teacher layoffs statewide and hurt kids.
Cuomo accused the groups and unions of a political game when they say cuts will curb or eliminate popular sports and arts programs.
The Assembly and Senate have proposed partial restorations of school funding.
(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
