Albany, NY – In response to the State Assembly budget proposal released this week, Karen Scharff, Executive Director of Citizen Action of New York, said:
“We applaud Speaker Heastie and the State Assembly for taking bold action to reverse the state’s devastating underfunding of public schools? and to ensure working families can earn enough to meet basic needs?.?“Too many students have missed educational opportunities because of chronic underfunding, but the Assembly’s budget would finally reverse that course. Those schools most in need will be prioritized because of the significant investment in foundation aid. And ensuring even more of our youngest students will have access to pre-K is a real investment in the future of our communities. We also applaud the Assembly for rejecting Governor Cuomo’s radical education agenda that caters to his billionaire campaign donors instead of helping students achieve success.“As income inequality continues to grow across the country, New York has the opportunity to be a real leader in creating an economy based on good jobs. The Assembly’s proposal to raise the minimum wage? to $15 an hour? is a strong step toward lifting working families out of poverty and creating a strong economy that works for everyone.”
###