I invite you to join me at an education & taxpayer rally to fight against Governor Paterson's proposal to cut Long Island's state education aid by over $147 million. These cuts would compromise the quality of our children's education and result in massive property tax increases for homeowners and small businesses.
The rally will be held on Saturday, February 28th from 11 am to noon at Ellsworth Allen Park, which is located on Motor Avenue in Farmingdale. State legislators, taxpayers, students, educators, small business owners, and labor leaders will all be taking part in the rally.
Last year, over 1,500 residents came together at a similar rally to fight cuts to Long Island's share of state education aid proposed by then-Governor Eliot Spitzer. The success of the rally proved critical in defeating the proposed education aid cuts.
You can get additional information about the rally, including driving directions, by visiting my website, senatorlavalle.com. I hope you will join me on February 28th to tell Governor Paterson "Don't Cut Long Island's School Aid!"
Parents, teachers rally against proposed school aid cuts
(02/29/09) FARMINGDALE - Some 1,000 parents, teachers and students gathered at a rally in Farmingdale Saturday to protest Gov. David Paterson's proposed $147 million in school aid cuts. "If we lose this money, it's going to be harder than ever to stay afloat," says sixth-grader John Brooks, of Oceanside.
The rally comes one day after Paterson announced that the federal stimulus money slated for education will be used to offset all the cuts he had proposed in his budget to school districts.
However, the protesters say the expected influx of federal money is just a temporary solution. They worry about the schools' long-term financial woes.
"Each year programs cost more," says Rob Molinari, of Central Islip Teachers' Association. "Each year the needs are different for the children, and we have to be able to grow and react to that."
Next week, the New York State Assembly will begin debate on the state budget to determine how much state aid will be allocated to each school district.
This Thursday thousands of concerned New Yorkers from across the state, inlcuding points as far West as Buffalo and as far East as New York City will rally against Governor Paterson's budget cuts. Will you join them and speak out for your community?
Thursday, March 5th- Albany, East Capitol Steps, 4:30pm Buffalo, True Bethel Church, 907 East Ferry Street, 4pm Rochester, Liberty Pole, East Avenue at East Main, 5pm Syracuse, Second Olivet Church, 412 W Onondaga Street, 4:30pm Binghamton, State Office Building, 44 Hawley Street, 5:30pm New York City, City Hall, 4pm
Friday, March 6th - Long Island, Huntington Hilton, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, NY, 5pm
Be sure to forward this email to your friends and family!
Sincerely,
Executive Director, Alliance for Quality Education
