OWENS RELEASES PLAN TO FIGHT
EDUCATION CUTS AT ALL LEVELS
(Brooklyn,
NY) Congressman Major R. Owens released details for fighting education
budget cuts for all levels of government: Federal, State, and Local.
"Our children can't wait
any longer. The Federal government cut over $1 billion out of New York City's
education budget, Governor Pataki has chosen to appeal the ruling in the CFE
case and, is further going to deny our children with his $3.6 million cut from
his New York State budget, and Mayor Bloomberg has said the city will not
contribute an extra dime." the Congressman continued. "So we must
all work together to contact lawmakers and tell them 12 years is enough!"
See attached plan.
FACT SHEET
EDUCATION FUNDING:
Emergencies and Opportunities
OWENS CALLS NEW CFE RULING GOOD, BUT
NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATORS NEED TO ACT NOW!
OUR CHILDREN CAN'T WAIT ANY LONGER
Congressman Major
Owens expressed guarded optimism at the recent ruling of the court confirming
the Special Master's recommendations for additional funding for New York City
public schools. The judge ordered the legislature to implement the decision
within 90 days.
"The court has backed its original decision to increase funding for our
public schools and it is up to all of us to keep pressure on New York State
legislators to agree to agree. We need the money now -- we cannot afford to lose
another generation." he said.
WE MUST
FIGHT FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS
President Bush's proposed budget cuts more than $4 billion out of education. In
New York, the federal budget cuts programs needed to fulfill the mandates
required by the No Child Left Behind Act by over $1 billion.
As you can see -- The timeline for Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit goes on:
May 1993 - CFE files lawsuit in State Supreme Court challenging
constitutionality of New York State's education funding system.
June 13, 1995 - In its landmark decision, the New York State Court of
Appeals, New York State's highest court, gives CFE the green light to pursue a
constitutional challenge to the New York's education finance system on the
grounds that it denies thousands of students the opportunity to a "sound, basic
education."
January 10, 2001 - The State Supreme Court rules in favor of CFE,
declaring the state’s school funding system unconstitutional. In his decision,
Justice Leland DeGrasse orders the State to reform the school funding system.
June 25, 2002 - In a 4-1 vote, the Appellate Division, First Department,
of the State Supreme Court rejects the trial court's ruling that the current
school funding formula is "inequitable and unconstitutional.” The intermediate
appeals court holds that students in New York State are only entitled to an
eighth-grade level of education and preparation for low-level jobs.
June 26, 2003 - In a 4-1 vote, the Court of Appeals reverses the
Appellate Division and rules in favor of CFE ordering the state to reform the
funding system to ensure that schools have the resources to provide the
opportunity for a “sound basic education,” which they define as a “meaningful
high school education.” In their remedial order, the Court orders the State to
“ascertain the actual cost of providing a sound basic education” and implement a
system of accountability that will ensure the reforms actually provide the
opportunity for a sound basic education. They give the state until July 30, 2004
to implement the necessary measures.
July 30, 2004 - State of New York fails to meet the Court of Appeals
deadline.
August 3, 2004 - Justice Leland DeGrasse appoints three referees to deal
with State’s non-compliance. They are given until November 30, 2004 to submit a
compliance plan to the court.
August 5, 2004 - Referees begin holding hearings with CFE and State
attorneys to review proposals for complying with the Court of Appeals order.
November 30, 2004 - Referees determined that New York City schools need
$5.6 billion more each year to students the basic education to which they are
entitled to in the State Constitution.
January 2005 - Governor Pataki's 2005-2006 executive budget cuts $ 3.6
million in aid to New York City public schools.
February 2005 - Supreme Court Justice Leland DeGrasse rules that the
State has 90 days to come up with a plan to give New York City schools $5.6
billion a year for basic education and another $9.2 billion to build and repair
schools over the next five years.
February 2005 - Governor Pataki announces he will appeal the latest
decision.
ACTION PLANS:
State, City and Federal
We must join CFE
and their allies to propose a bill during this legislative session that will
reform the funding system and solidify the accountability system so that New
York City school children can finally receive the educational rights to which
they are entitled.
Immediately: The Alliance for Quality Education is launching an e-mail drive
urging New York Governor George Pataki to stop appealing the court decisions and
hopes to send over 5,000 e-mails shortly.
March 3, 2005 CFE -- A Meeting About Funding Our Schools
7:00pm (Hunter College School of Social Work, 129 East 79th Street, Manhattan)
March 29, 2005 -- A bus trip to Albany for parents and community members
to lobby their lawmakers.
Local, State and national agencies are writing to protest the federal budget
cuts to education. Please contact your congressperson and your senator.
"We will be sending out timely information on education cuts at all levels of
government," concluded Congressman Owens.
For the latest
information contact:
Marsha Borenstein at 718-773-3100 or Margaret Kelley at 718-773-3100.
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