ALBANY, N.Y. Dec. 9, 2019 — New York State United Teachers today praised the state Board of Regents 2020 – 21 state education aid proposal, which echoes the $2.1 billion increase in aid that the union and other education advocates are calling for.
“Our students don’t get a do-over because of inequitable state funding for education,” NYSUT President Andy Pallotta said. “Across the state, we’re seeing the very real impacts that chronic underfunding has on our schools. Today’s proposal from the Regents not only recognizes what needs to change, it also represents a positive step toward a solution.”
“To achieve equitable funding for education, we can’t just cut the budget pie up into smaller slices. We need a bigger pie,” Pallotta added. “It’s high time that the ultrawealthy pay their fair share and we use new revenues to make a significant investment in education and other essential state services.”
The New York State Educational Conference Board, of which NYSUT is a member, is calling for a $2.1 billion increase in state education aid, including a $1.6 billion increase in Foundation Aid and expense-based aid just to maintain current academic services. ECB recommends fully phasing-in the $3.4 billion in Foundation Aid owed to schools statewide over three years.
“We commend Chancellor Betty Rosa and the Board of Regents for recognizing the needs of our students and putting forward a bold proposal that would help address those needs statewide,” NYSUT Executive Vice President Jolene T. DiBrango said.
New York State United Teachers is a statewide union with more than 600,000 members in education, human services and health care. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.