Hi John,
The upcoming school year will mean difficult days for New York’s students and communities.
Last week Governor Cuomo and the New York State legislature passed the most secretive budget in our state’s history — and the consequences will be devastating.
Instead of taxing the ultra wealthy, our representatives in Albany abandoned their responsibility to educate our children. Schools will not be getting any additional funding for next school year to help students get back on track and rebound from this traumatic experience. With $0 investment in schools from the state, we know cuts to educators, school support staff and extra curricular activities are looming in the near future. Students will return to somber schools, stripped of resources and opportunities.
Click above to see a breakdown of what the state budget does — and doesn't do — for schools.
New York’s chronic underinvestment in Black, Brown and low-income communities — from the underfunding of public schools, to the cuts to public hospitals — has left them so vulnerable to crises like this one. This budget, combined with extended school closures, means New York’s children are left holding the short end of the stick in this pandemic.
Our communities are being forced to deal with hard consequences of this pandemic, but the wealthiest New Yorkers — those who can most afford it — aren’t asked to pay even one penny more.
The fight for justice is one of the oldest fights in our nation. Educational inequity existed long before COVID-19 — the only difference is that now it is making headlines. Our elected representatives saw the suffering in our communities, and they have chosen to ignore it. This budget is an insult to our children. They deserve to have access to the resources and opportunities needed to set them up for success in schools and beyond.
The state budget was passed, but our work is not done. The Governor is threatening ongoing budget cuts and he has his eyes on our public schools. We are going to fight to protect our schools from more cuts. We’re going to continue to fight for schools to have all the resources and investments they need. The next time the legislature convenes, the first item on their agenda must be taxing the wealthy to invest in our schools and communities. We have more work to do for the sake of New York’s children and families.
“This is a good moment—in the midst of our fear, frustration, and anger—to make a decision that we will emerge from this moment more committed, more loving, more focused. We will emerge from this moment and transform the society.” - Rev. Dr. William Barber II
In solidarity,
Jasmine Gripper
