Colton: Executive Budget Needs to Include Money for Fiscal Equity Payments
Assemblyman William Colton (D–Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights) says that the Governor promised to use state education monies to support high-need schools in a more productive way, but there were few specifics on how he proposed to do this.
“The executive budget needs to include monies to repay the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit (CFE). For the monies that are due, the budget must reimburse high needs districts such as NYC. This is particularly important considering the billions of dollars that the state owes in high needs districts over past short funding under the CFE court decisions,” Colton stated.
“Monies should be directed to be used to reduce class size, support remedial programs, and enrichment programs so that both underperforming children, as well as high performing students, will be able to reach their highest potential. The budget should also include the monies to support arts, music, and physical education, as well as ESL programs to reach out to the needs of all students. In addition, more childcare monies should be included in the budget so parents will be able to increase their financial ability to support their families,” he continued.
City Council Holds Hearing on Universal After School
On Tuesday, the City Council held a hearing to discuss legislation authored by Youth Services Chair Debi Rose, Council Member Mark Treyger (D-Bath Beach, Bensonhurst, Coney Island, Gravesend, and Sea Gate), Chair of the Committee on Education, and Council Member Ben Kallos (D-Manhattan). Introductions 1100 and 1113 of 2018 would mandate universal after school that would be phased in through an annual plan that would include reporting on implementation and results.
Universal after school could soon be available for more than 1.1 million public school students in New York City providing
academic enrichment, arts, physical activities, and even nutrition when the bills are passed.
“After school programs provide vital learning, enrichment and personal growth opportunities for students. Expanding after school programming to all K-12 students who wish to enroll will keep our children safe, encourage academic achievement and inspire participation in extracurricular activities,” said Treyger. “The pair of bills heard today will support students to excel beyond the classroom and deliver kinesthetic learning all year round. All students should have access to after school programs—and I’ll do whatever I can to make sure all of our students, regardless of their zip code or needs have access to enriching opportunities.”
BP Adams Statement on Appointment of Jeffries and Nadler as Impeachment Leads
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams released a statement after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed U.S. Reps.
Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn, Queens) and Jerry Nadler (D-Brooklyn, Manhattan) as prosecutors in President Trump’s impeachment trial.
Adams said, “Congress Members Hakeem Jeffries and Jerry Nadler are fair and thoughtful representatives of New York, and I know they will carry out their duty to our country during this impeachment trial with the utmost integrity. As I have said in the past, impeachment isn’t something to celebrate. Our elected representatives, who take an oath to protect and uphold the Constitution, reached this decision through a painstaking deliberative process. I know that Congress Member Jeffries, Congress Member Nadler, and all the prosecutors appointed by Speaker Pelosi will do New York, and our country, proud.
