Opposition to the federal private school voucher program is growing across New York, as some of the state’s most prominent elected leaders join educators, parents, civil rights organizations and labor unions in warning against opting New York into the new federal program.
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli are among the latest state leaders who have raised concerns about the voucher scheme and are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to protect New York’s public schools.
"New York’s leaders are sending an unmistakable message: Don’t gamble with our public schools,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person. “We now know what the federal rules look like, and they are worse than we feared. New York would put its name on this program while Washington controls the rules. With leaders from across our state raising serious concerns, there is simply no reason to opt into this experiment.”
"This isn't about education. It is about the federal government worming its way into classrooms across the state,” said United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew. “It doesn't matter your political bent; I think we can agree that the last thing we want is the federal government dictating how our children should be educated."
Their opposition comes as recently released federal regulations make clear that New York would have little ability to impose its own standards, safeguards or accountability measures if it chooses to participate.
"I am apprehensive about this federal proposal and have serious reservations about the potential impact it could have on public schools across New York state,” said Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “New York should not opt in to this program. The regulations announced would undercut New York's ability to establish meaningful guardrails, leaving the state with little control over which schools and expenses qualify or how this funding is used, and would allow those dollars to potentially flow to schools out of the state.
We have finally been able to fully fund our schools after years of neglect and lawsuits. New York should remain focused on strengthening the public school system and improving educational outcomes for all students. We have an obligation to every student in New York State to make sure they have access to a quality education, and that means continuing to invest in the public schools that serve students in every community across our state."
“The Assembly Majority will always prioritize quality education for New York’s students and ensure that public schools are fully funded,” said Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. “Public dollars should support public schools that serve all children and are accountable to the taxpayers who fund them. New York should opt out of the federal voucher program and continue investing in the public schools that educate the overwhelming majority of our children.”
In August, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli sent a letter to the governor warning that the program could leave children in underserved and rural communities behind, strain state and local budgets, and reduce funding for public schools as a result of enrollment decline.
“The program’s lack of appropriate guardrails, and the absence of a better understanding of the consequences of this program on the state’s public schools system and the students it serves, raise serious concerns,” DiNapoli wrote. Read DiNapoli’s full letter here.
The opposition extends beyond Albany.
Earlier this year, 15 Democratic members of New York’s congressional delegation wrote to Gov. Hochul urging her to protect New York’s longstanding commitment to public education and warning about the impact of the federal voucher proposal.
And concern crosses party lines. U.S. Rep. Andrew Garbarino, a Republican, also wrote to Hochul urging her to opt out of the program.
“New York's first responsibility must remain supporting the public schools that educate the overwhelming majority of our state's children,” Garbarino wrote. “Our public schools serve students of every background and ability, provide stability for families, and prepare the next generation with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. Continued investment in public education strengthens our workforce, our economy, and the long-term success of our communities.” Read Rep. Garbarino’s full letter here.
Opposition to the program has already united more than 80 organizations representing educators, parents, school boards, superintendents, labor and civil rights advocates. New Yorkers have also expressed strong opposition to diverting taxpayer resources toward private-school vouchers.
New York has a choice. It does not have to participate.
With the state’s legislative leaders, members of Congress, education organizations, labor unions, civil rights advocates and New Yorkers across the state raising concerns, NYSUT and UFT are calling on Gov. Hochul to reject participation in the federal voucher program.