Thanks in large part to the tremendous member activism of people like you all over the state, New Yorkers have soundly rejected the governor's toxic, test-and-punish education agenda. In a recent poll, just 28% said they approve of the plan, while a resounding 63% -- nearly two-thirds! -- said that they oppose it.
The people of New York understand. Now, we need to make sure that lawmakers do, too. The governor's outrageous test-and-punish agenda has no place in these budget negotiations!
Take action now at the NYSUT Member Action Center to call your senator and tell them to REJECT the governor's toxic, test-and-punish education plan and take those discussions OUT of budget negotiations!
Last week, the Assembly rejected the governor's supposed reforms in total, which is a great victory. At the same time, the Senate's one-house budget proposal disconnected funding from the governor's education reform package, which is also a good step. However, the Senate re-submitted the governor's same package of "reforms" with no changes, as a stand-alone bill.
Now, in these final days of budget talks, we need to keep up the pressure on the Senate to ensure that they join the Assembly, teachers, parents and the vast majority of New Yorkers in saying "NO." The governor's wrong-headed agenda does not belong in budget negotiations!
Take action now at the NYSUT Member Action Center to call your senator and tell them to REJECT the governor's toxic, test-and-punish education plan and take those discussions OUT of budget negotiations!
The governor has chosen to stand with the hedge fund billionaires and special interest education profiteers.
Let's make sure that the Senate stands with the rest of us!
In solidarity,
Andrew Pallotta
NYSUT Executive Vice President
P.S.: Don't let up now! Take action today to keep the pressure on and to defend our public schools!