New York governor hits school districts, defends education cut

[The Northerner]

(Reuters) - Claiming local school districts are playing "political games," New York's governor on Thursday defended his $1.5 billion cut to education spending.

Governor Andrew Cuomo's proposed cut in state aid to schools -- the largest in history -- is aimed at closing a $10 billion budget gap for the next fiscal year.

Cuomo told reporters on Thursday that his cuts average 2.7 percent per school district, and could be offset by rooting out inefficiencies, using reserve funds and lowering the salaries of superintendents.

"I know there is waste and abuse in the school districts; 2.7 percent in waste and abuse," Cuomo said after a private meeting with legislative leaders. "Districts say 'we don't have any.' I don't believe it."

Teachers' unions and school officials have attacked Cuomo's plan, saying that they've already made steep cuts in recent years, and that unfunded state mandates are driving up costs. Aid was cut by $1.4 billion in 2010 after being frozen in 2009. School districts have also assailed the governor's proposal to cap property tax increases.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/17/us-newyork-schools-idUSTRE72G7D320110317

[madfloridian]

1. He said he would be fighting unions..and he is. Very anti-union.

Andrew Cuomo, his running mate, and "New Democratic Party" to fight public employee unions?

"It was just 24 hours after the debut of the "New Democratic Party" signs up here at the site of the party's convention in Westchester. Attorney General Andrew Cuomo was in midtown making public the results of his first critical deliberation as a candidate for governor. In choosing Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy as his running mate, Cuomo got a career cop who evidently turned around the city of Rochester by restoring public integrity, improving municipal services and cutting taxes. But that's not all.

..."In Duffy, Cuomo has chosen a potential lieutenant governor who stands for strong executive authority, especially in education. Duffy has been trying to follow in the footsteps of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who's taken power from local school boards and put it in the mayor's office.

..."The head of the local teachers' union, which vehemently opposes Duffy's approach, told local TV that Duffy's move sharply divided the community. No doubt what the teachers, some parents and community members see as a mayoral power grab, Duffy and advocates for mayoral control, such as Bloomberg, see as ensuring accountability.

That drive for accountability is also expressed in Cuomo's support for lifting of the state's cap on charter schools. So on education, the "New Democrats" are aligning with President Barack Obama, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Bloomberg, Reverend Al Sharpton, and even New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in backing the expansion of charters."

[fittosurvive]

2. Cuomo had to make some tough choices and 2.7% is not the end of the world.

[Hannah Bell]

3. but 1% from billionaires like bloomberg = the end of the world.

[1776Forever]

4. Keep the news coming - I think he will have some competition next time for sure! n/t