For the strongest possible case that members of the NY State Legislature do NOT deserve even their current salaries, much less a raise, consider only
their colossal indifference toward public education, and their continuing refusal to consider meaningful ethics rules. None of the other 49 states is as ill-served by its legislators as is New York.
their colossal indifference toward public education, and their continuing refusal to consider meaningful ethics rules. None of the other 49 states is as ill-served by its legislators as is New York.
4
Once again, NYC gets the shaft! Especially its pubic schools!
Cuomo and his gang are heavily-funded by the SAME big money special interests that fund Eva Moscowitz's edu-empire of charter schools (paying her personally about $1 million a year!) Can't disturb the big-money guys with political ambitions like Cuomo's?
And Cuomo just likes to mess with the mayor of NYC -- partly due to ego, partly due to power-politics, and partly for spite. He apparently particularly hates de Blasio (for daring to challenge the naked emperor?), but he also did some of the same things to Bloomberg. He's a shark.
And of course Heastie and Cuomo should be under investigation for the same corruption scandal that led to the convictions of Silver and Skelos... the corrupt "three men in a room" ruling NYC model!
What a sad state NYS politics and government have sunk to!
Cuomo and his gang are heavily-funded by the SAME big money special interests that fund Eva Moscowitz's edu-empire of charter schools (paying her personally about $1 million a year!) Can't disturb the big-money guys with political ambitions like Cuomo's?
And Cuomo just likes to mess with the mayor of NYC -- partly due to ego, partly due to power-politics, and partly for spite. He apparently particularly hates de Blasio (for daring to challenge the naked emperor?), but he also did some of the same things to Bloomberg. He's a shark.
And of course Heastie and Cuomo should be under investigation for the same corruption scandal that led to the convictions of Silver and Skelos... the corrupt "three men in a room" ruling NYC model!
What a sad state NYS politics and government have sunk to!
5
The republicans in the NYS senate should have NO control of NYC schools!
5
If my recollection is correct, Mayot Giuliani failed in his attempt to gain control of schools. The opposition came from the Democratic controlled NYS Assembly.
Mayor Bloomberg was was given control, based on his support for charter schools and support from Republican NYS Senators from NYC.
Mayor de Blasio was given short term control, now expired. The current opposition comes from Republican State Senators who favor charter schools, and the unspoken (in this case) but obvious antipathy of Gov. Cuomo who, as noted in this article, has been pretty much absent.
Bottom line, as usual it's all about politics. It's not at all about education and what's best for NYC's school children.
Mayor Bloomberg was was given control, based on his support for charter schools and support from Republican NYS Senators from NYC.
Mayor de Blasio was given short term control, now expired. The current opposition comes from Republican State Senators who favor charter schools, and the unspoken (in this case) but obvious antipathy of Gov. Cuomo who, as noted in this article, has been pretty much absent.
Bottom line, as usual it's all about politics. It's not at all about education and what's best for NYC's school children.
5
Mayor DeBlasio is beholden to the teachers union for votes; his interest in NYC school children success is tepid at best. It is unfortunate that many parents have to sacrifice financially to send their children to parochial/private schools in certain neighborhoods, it is a poor tax. Children have a right to excellent public education, including charter schools.
2
Erika,
Children have a right to excellent public education and when schools become sources of income for people, like prisons, the quality, because of cost-cutting goes down.
charters are not public Erika
Children have a right to excellent public education and when schools become sources of income for people, like prisons, the quality, because of cost-cutting goes down.
charters are not public Erika
9
BronxTeacher:
NYC charter schools are public schools: http://schools.nyc.gov/community/charters/about/what.htm
They are no more or less "sources of income for people" than other public schools in the system.
NYC charter schools are public schools: http://schools.nyc.gov/community/charters/about/what.htm
They are no more or less "sources of income for people" than other public schools in the system.
My strong preference is that Mayor DeBlasio have control over as little as possible. Let it lapse.
3
We don't even let the governor take over control of failing schools (3 consecutive years of failure). Why would NYC let the mayor control the schools?!
2
Who is serving citizens? Who is putting citizens first? Who is working on the principle that society must have educated members to survive and thrive. Remember the point of public education: to provide all members of society from the age of 4 to 18 the foundation for being an educated citizen who can participate in democracy. That foundation must be funded, free and superior.
6
Mayoral control of schools has been a disaster for democracy and has not improved education in NYC at all. It has disenfranchised parents and communities and has turned principals from community leaders into corporate middle managers. Teachers have gone from professionals to line workers in schools-as-factories.
It is, of course, a wonderful source of patronage for the mayor and a wonderful bargaining chip for Albany warlords.
Time for local control of our city schools -- no more Albany interference -- and a revamping of school governance along democratic models. Then, and only then, will we get the kind of civic engagement that improves the schools.
It is, of course, a wonderful source of patronage for the mayor and a wonderful bargaining chip for Albany warlords.
Time for local control of our city schools -- no more Albany interference -- and a revamping of school governance along democratic models. Then, and only then, will we get the kind of civic engagement that improves the schools.
10
Hello? What business does a city mayor have meddling in education? Which failed management system was Governor Cuomo referring to? The policy is created at the top and that is what is failing!
4
Hello? What business does a rural Republican have in destroying accountability for city schools?
4
As usual, the NY Times is missing the bigger story. The tax extenders that weren't passed will have dramatic consequences for localities throughout the State and the City as well. Mayoral control of City schools would be a sideshow to carnage that would be done to local budgets. But that's not sexy, I realize.
7
As I looked back to see where I failed in the effort, I realized I’m doing what my abuser did 46 years ago, blaming myself for being exploited. I see now we were set up by men skilled in getting their way. Governor Cuomo started by including the CVA in his agenda. He was now off limits lest he abandon us. My abuser groomed me so I wouldn’t turn on him.
Senator Flanagan didn’t wear sheep’s clothing like the governor. He just refused to let the CVA get a vote, even with enough votes to pass it. An abuse of power as effective as my own abuser’s power over me.
Predators need society to enable them. Senator Flanagan had his own enablers. The Governor strung us along till the last moment before giving us hope with his own bill and then snatched it away saying he had little hope it would get passed, giving Senator Flanagan all the cover he needed. The plan all along.
I feel violated by what went on this legislative session as I imagine my fellow survivors and advocates do. Yet I also have a counter-intuitive sense of strength. This time I can’t be silenced, I’m not alone, and I can and will fight back. Abusers are bullies and count on us being victims, not survivors.