STATE BUDGET INFO

EPP ALERTS
2004

Subj:   
Need for positive alternative

Date:7/6/2004 3:45:01 PM Eastern Daylight Time
To: EPPNYC
 
Dear EPP members: I've been told that tomorrow's City Council hearing on the proposed third grade Gates program will go from 3:30 pm until 9 or 10 o'clock at night. My take is that even in proposal form, the Gates program has already done some damage. Here we are, in the aftermath of a court ruling that is as important to children in New York City as Brown v. Board of Education and we are spending our on this proposal rather than fighting for funding for a CFE remedy and an end to overcrowding. Legislators in Albany are beginning to ask why they are not getting letters and phone calls on CFE. A good question. Let us please focus our energies positively in getting the funding needed so that students succeed. Please get your organization to send a letter to the
Governor, the Assembly Majority Speaker, and the Senate Majority Leader asking them to fund the city's capital plan for the schools ($10 billion over five years) and the CFE remedy ($9 billion over four years). Dr. Evie Jones Rich of 100 Black Women was able to generate over 65 individual letters and an organizational letter this past week end. Please make your contribution to this effort. Below and attached is a wonderful individual letter written by EPP Executive Committee member May Del Rio Dorfman. Please follow her lead. Thank you.
 
465 West 23 Street
New York, New York 10011
February 20, 2004
 
 
The Honorable Sheldon Silver
Speaker
New York State Assembly
932 Legislative Office Building
Albany, New York 12248
 
Dear Mr. Speaker:
 
It’s been a long time since I met with you in Albany. That was when I was
vice president for Planned Parenthood of New York City, and, earlier, when I
worked with Faye Wattleton in the national arena. But the most important
relationship I had with you was when you were my mother’s representative on the Lower
East Side. She died several years ago but she often spoke of how kind you
were to your constituents.
 
So, now that I myself am retired, I have found a new and critically important
issue that I want to bring to your attention. Not that it’s new to you, and
not that you do not understand it’s critical importance. But being a proud
product of the New York City public schools, and the first high school graduate
in my family that went on to college and beyond, I find it imperative to speak
out to our leaders in Albany.
 
I was amazed to discover that New York State has been ranked among the states
with the greatest degree of funding inequality in this nation. The famous
2003 Court of Appeals’ decision in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity lawsuit
provides state leaders, but especially you, with a historic opportunity to assure
that children in high-need districts in NYC, and around the state, have an
adequate education. They deserve nothing less. The state must end its shameful
system of a two-track education system. It is unconscionable and I have no
doubt that you agree.
 
I am not here to provide statistics and tables and factual assessments. I am
here to appeal to your commitment to social justice – by making the public
school children of New York your priority as you go into the NYS budget
negotiations. Not to support these children financially will be much more costly in
human lives wasted and money spent than providing them with what they need to
live good and healthy lives.
 
I count on you, Speaker Silver.
 
Sincerely,
May Del Rio Dorfman

(Last updated 07/07/04)

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