Senator Peralta's Statement on NYC Budget

“The prospect of deep cuts to New York City’s public schools cannot be accepted as some sort of inevitable consequence of difficult financial times. 

“Our schools have to be treated as an important investment in the future of New York City. The Campaign for Fiscal Equity court decision must be respected. 

“I stand ready to introduce a bill to extend—not make permanent—the current surcharge on the state’s highest earners, which would generate some $6 billion over the course of the coming and following fiscal years. 

“I look forward to working with my colleagues in the legislature and the governor on balancing the budget and achieving much-needed efficiency in government, including in the administration of school districts across the state. 

“Accomplishing that will require many, many difficult choices. Our guiding principle must be the idea of shared sacrifice. Widening an already large gap between wealthy and less affluent school districts would fly in the face of that concept.”