NYSUT President Melinda Person explains how proposed cuts would devastate New York students, educators and families.
In a series of videos shared across social media, NYSUT President Melinda Person breaks down complex policy issues — sometimes over donuts — to help New Yorkers understand what's at stake.
"While families are struggling to make ends meet, some in Congress are pushing policies that would make life even harder for working people while handing more tax breaks to billionaires," Person said. "Our members and communities deserve to know how these proposals would affect them directly."
The Videos: Policy Made Simple
Fighting for Higher Education Access
In her conversation with UUP Empire State Chapter VP of Academics Alissa Karl, President Person explains how proposed federal budget cuts would slash Pell Grants and student aid, making college less affordable when students need more support, not less.
"Our students deserve opportunity—not debt. But the federal budget cuts Pell Grants, slashes student aid, and makes college even less affordable. Higher ed should open doors, not close them."
Protecting Public Schools from Voucher Schemes
Using a creative donut metaphor, Person breaks down how private school vouchers would drain resources from public schools while primarily benefiting wealthy families who can already afford private education.
"Donut let billionaires steal our sprinkles. This week's update breaks down how private school vouchers = fewer resources for public schools + more perks for the ultra-rich. Public dollars belong in public schools. Period."
Exposing the Transfer of Wealth
President Person calls out the stark contrast in the federal budget priorities: massive tax cuts for the wealthy paid for by cutting healthcare, education, and nutrition programs for working families.
"While families are out here choosing between rent and groceries, Congress just handed billionaires another tax break—by cutting healthcare, education and food for our kids. This budget is Robin Hood in reverse. $1.1 trillion in tax cuts for the wealthy. $1.1 trillion in cuts to working families."
Donuts and Democracy: A Sweet Talk About Serious Issues
President Person sits down with Nathan Gusdorf from the Fiscal Policy Institute over actual donuts to discuss how the House reconciliation bill threatens Medicaid for millions of New Yorkers and includes voucher schemes that would defund public schools.
"Donuts and democracy! I sat down with Nathan Gusdorf from the Fiscal Policy Institute for a sweet (but serious) conversation about the latest House reconciliation bill—over actual donuts. We talked about how this bill threatens to cut Medicaid for millions of New Yorkers and includes school vouchers that would siphon federal funds away from our public schools."