ALBANY, N.Y. – New York State United Teachers President Andy Pallotta, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew released the following joint statement today as New York state lawmakers are continuing budget deliberations, including proposals to expand charter schools with no approval needed from the communities that will be affected and no regard for the billions of dollars that will be siphoned away from public schools.
"As budget negotiations wrap up, the governor's refusal to acknowledge the will of the people is deeply disappointing and shows she is more interested in supporting the ultra-wealthy owners of corporate charters than in defending New York's students. Once again, the rich will benefit; our students, public schools and communities will lose."