ALBANY, N.Y. June 7, 2010 – New York State United Teachers today launched a radio advertising campaign calling on state lawmakers to reject Gov. Paterson's proposed cuts to public education and to make restorations that will protect the future of New York's children.
The ads are scheduled to run on Albany-area radio throughout the week, as lawmakers return to the state Capitol to work on the 2010-11 state spending plan.
"In poll after poll, the vast majority of New Yorkers believe that the state must maintain its investment in public schools and colleges, and reject deep budget cuts that eliminate programs and shift the burden of paying for education to local property taxpayers," said NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi.
Andrew Pallotta, the union's executive vice president, added: "The state needs to do its fair share and stop passing along the pain to students and local taxpayers. Our kids deserve better. The Legislature still has time to do the right thing and stave off the havoc the governor's cuts would cause."
To listen to the ad, go to www.nysut.org. A transcript follows:
How do you grow a 'knowledge economy' when you slash education funding?
You don't.
The governor's disastrous budget cuts to education would hurt our kids and our future. It would mean overcrowded classrooms, deteriorating buildings, an end to tutoring and after-school programs, and the loss of thousands of great teachers and school staff.
New Yorkers agree. Our kids shouldn't be the ones to bear the burden of a state budget shortfall. In fact, poll after poll shows that New Yorkers want legislators to invest in public schools and colleges, even in tough times.
It's simple, really. New Yorkers support public education and New Yorkers support legislators who stand up for our kids.
So, tell the Legislature to restore funding for public education. Tell the Legislature to do right by our children because New York's future depends on it.
NYSUT, the state's largest union, represents more than 600,000 teachers, school-related professionals, academic and professional faculty in higher education, professionals in education and health care and retirees. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.
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