“Delivering for Education is Delivering Opportunities” Statement from Senator Martin J. Golden

 “Never underestimate a desperate person.  You never know how far they will go to get what they want.  There are those who are completely misrepresenting my record on delivering for our children.  That is wrong because it shows that there are those who are willing to use the education of our young people in a political fight.  
 
“When I was first elected to the Senate my first priority was to create seating in our schools because our students were learning not in classrooms but in trailers parked in playgrounds.  During my time as your Senator, I have fought for billions in education funding for New York City Schools, while focusing on the students of the 22nd Senate District. 
 
“Overall, since I became your State Senator in 2003, State aid going to all New York City Public Schools has doubled.  During that same period, inflation only grew by 40 percent.  By investing in our schools, all boats will rise with the tide. 
 
“For example, since 2011, I have delivered $4,607,000 in aid dedicated to public and non-public schools in our local communities. This funding was obtained for schools in the 22nd Senate District by working with my colleagues in the Senate, Assembly and with the Governor.
 
“Making sure our students can learn in a clean, safe environment is critical.  That is why I worked to obtain over $3,545,000 for capital improvements for local schools since 2011.  That means the students and schools in the 22nd Senate District have received over $8.1 million in aid they would not normally have gotten.
 
“Rest assured, I will continue to fight for every public, non-public, Catholic school and Yeshiva in my Senate District.  Our residents deserve to have an intelligent discussion about the issues facing our community.  They deserve better than to be hoodwinked by snake oil salespersons with bad information."