When Governor Paterson unveiled his proposed state budget Tuesday, he predicted it would be met by vocal opposition. The next day, that opposition made themselves heard..
The Alliance for Quality Education and Citizen Action of New York held simultaneous press conferences throughout the state including Syracuse. The groups say the 5 percent cut in state aid to schools would hurt children. Isra Muhammad says her three children are doing well thanks to programs offered by the Syracuse School District. She says if the cuts to education take effect, "we won't have the resources they need to go on and be successful in life."
The education lobby will urge state lawmakers to reject cuts to education. Governor Paterson says a 5 percent cut in state school aid will save taxpayers $1-point-1 billion dollars. The Governor also claims many school districts are sitting on surpluses that could make up for the loss of state aid. Retired teacher Gerald Lotierzo says that's not so. "Some school districts have emptied their reserve accounts."
The Alliance for Quality Education and Citizen Action of New York have come up with six "cost savings and revenue raising alternatives. They include eliminating Empire Zone tax breaks for businesses, bulk purchasing of prescription drugs for state employees and retirees, and collecting sales tax from cigarette sales on Indian nations.
For more information about the Alliance for Quality Education: http://www.aqeny.org/,
For more information about the Governor's proposed budget: http://www.state.ny.us/governor/index.html
