Senator Parker Leads Call to Governor and Legislative Leaders to Boost School Aid Statewide and Reverse Proposed Cuts to New York City Schools

(Brooklyn)  Today, Senator Kevin Parker (D-21) and 19 additional Senate Democrats called upon Governor Cuomo and the Legislature’s leaders to make available an additional $350 million in school aid to be distributed in a way that prioritizes high need schools throughout the state.  With schools struggling to provide even the basics, another $350 million is necessary in order to prevent more cuts to the classroom and ensure that all of New York’s students are receiving a “sound basic education.”

The Senators also called for the reversal of a $260 million cut in New York City’s school aid. As the Senators pointed out, the threatened cut to New York City schools would punish students, even though they have nothing to do with the dead end negotiations between Mayor Bloomberg and the union. 

“I have always believed that education is the ultimate ladder for economic opportunity,” said Senator Kevin Parker. “When we deny our children equal education, we deny them the ability to achieve the success they deserve, which we cannot in good conscience do.” “ That is why I, and 19 of my colleagues are calling upon the Governor to add $350 million in aid for schools statewide to prevent more cuts in the classroom, and to reverse the $260 million funding cut to New York City schools, so we will finally stop jeopardizing our children’s future.”

  “There has been a growing ground swell in the legislature for more school aid and against the New York City cuts,” said Billy Easton, Executive Director, Alliance for Quality Education. “These Senators, like many legislators, are sick and tired of the continuous classroom cuts that have overtaken our schools. Senator Parker has been a consistent advocate of full and fair funding for our schools and he has galvanized support among his colleagues. This letter lays out  in no uncertain terms the funding levels our schools need in this year’s budget and makes a strong and clear call for equity and opportunity for all New York State students.”

About Senator Kevin Parker

Senator Kevin S. Parker is intimately familiar with the needs of his ethnically diverse Brooklyn community that consists of 318,000 constituents in Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Windsor Terrace, and Park Slope.  He is the Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, Assistant Democratic Leader for Intergovernmental Affairs, and Chair of the Democratic Task Force on New Americans.

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