ALBANY -- The State Capitol was buzzing Wednesday with hundreds of activists convening a "A Camp In" to protest cuts to the state budget that according to leaders, is all but finished.
The protesters represented a variety of view points, but they all agreed on one thing… Governor Cuomo's promise of shared sacrifice rings hollow.
Howie Hawkins of the Green Party said, "It's amazing to me that we're going to have a budget without any fight."
Hawkins is angry about cuts to education that will force Syracuse City Schools to lay off hundreds of teachers. "We have high schools, 4 of them, none of them has graduation rates over 50% over 4 years."
Instead, Hawkins, and businessman Matt Funicello, argue that keeping the Millionaire's tax, or collecting revenues from the stock transfer tax would protect schools, and spread the pain…
Funicello said, "I pay 7% when I buy coffee. Why are the rich not paying 1/20th of 1% when they buy stock?"
That upstate schools have been short-changed in this budget hasn't gone unnoticed…by these protestors or downstate lawmakers.
Senator Dean Skelos, Majority Leader, R-Rockville Centre, said, "The senate has insisted on certain restorations which will handle much of the inequitable cuts that occurred in upstate communities."
But Skelos isn't apologizing for a budget that has no new significant taxes. In fact, he considers it a victory. Senator Dean Skelos continued, "We believe the end result which will bring next year's projected deficit from 15 billion to 2 billion, will send a message to the business community, we want to create jobs. And that's what people want. Jobs!"
Hawkins and others say they’re willing to challenge Skelos’ assumptions, even if it takes longer than expected….
Hawkins continued, "They may have to stay over more than one night. They may have to block business as usual. Not violently."
