March 12, 2024 (ALBANY, N.Y.) — Following the release of the State Senate and Assembly’s proposed budgets, public education advocacy organization the Alliance for Quality Education released the following statement in response to the education proposals: “We applaud the State Senate and Assembly for recognizing the importance of fully funding public schools at this moment, … Continue reading Senate & Assembly Protect Foundation Aid from Gov. Hochul’s Proposed Cuts and Alterations
Albany Dems want to scrap Hochul’s proposed education cuts, raise taxes on high earners
Democrats in the state legislature aim to overturn Governor Hochul’s proposed cuts to education funding and intend to raise revenues by taxing New York’s highest earners. Although completion of negotiations between the governor and two chambers holds an April 1 deadline, the Governor has expressed uncertainty that all negotiations will keep to that timeline. Read … Continue reading Albany Dems want to scrap Hochul’s proposed education cuts, raise taxes on high earners
Outmigration hurting state tax revenue, DiNapoli says
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, along with Heather Briccetti Mulligan of the Business Council of New York State, expressed concerns over New York’s declining tax base due to outmigration, noting a loss of over 533,000 residents since July 2020, leading to a decrease in personal income tax filers. The two pointed out that high-income earners and … Continue reading Outmigration hurting state tax revenue, DiNapoli says
How the New York State Budget Is Made
New York lawmakers are finalizing responses to Governor Hochul’s budget proposal, aiming to address key issues like school funding and immigration assistance, as they navigate negotiations in the coming weeks. With over $230 billion at stake, the budget process includes debates over issues like opioid treatment centers, fossil fuel subsidies, and prison closures, with the … Continue reading How the New York State Budget Is Made
N.Y. lawmakers’ budget plans would lift school funding, match Hochul on migrants
New York State lawmakers finalized their budget proposals in response to Governor Hochul’s executive proposal, with both the Senate and Assembly including measures to restore hold harmless policies and proposing the full funding of Foundation Aid. Despite Mayor Adams’ plea for additional migrant funding, neither legislative proposals appears to incorporate his requests, setting the stage … Continue reading N.Y. lawmakers’ budget plans would lift school funding, match Hochul on migrants
The Status of Child Care in New York State
The report from Cornell University’s 2023 Empire State Poll reveals that two in five New Yorkers with children had to forgo employment outside the home due to child care issues, exacerbating workforce shortages. Cornell University’s ILR Buffalo Co-Lab, along with state legislators and child care advocates, has been investigating the true cost of child care, … Continue reading The Status of Child Care in New York State
Programs for high school students at risk of dropping out face ‘catastrophic’ funding cliff
Pending funding cuts to the Learning to Work program in New York City could lead to the loss of critical services and jobs for approximately 15,000 students enrolled in Young Adult Borough Centers and transfer schools. Learning to Work, which pairs alternative schools with community organizations, provides additional staff to ensure students’ attendance, connect them … Continue reading Programs for high school students at risk of dropping out face ‘catastrophic’ funding cliff
Response to Legislature’s Rejection of Proposed Congressional Maps
“We thank the New York State legislature for voting down the Independent Redistricting Commissions’ proposed Congressional maps yesterday. “When Black and brown communities are split and isolated across multiple Congressional districts it dilutes their collective power and denies them the right to vote in political representation that will carry the best agenda for their communities … Continue reading Response to Legislature’s Rejection of Proposed Congressional Maps
AQE Names Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari & Marina Marcou-O’Malley Co-Executive Directors
ALBANY, N.Y. (February 17, 2024) — Public education advocacy organization the Alliance for Quality Education announced that Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari and Marina Marcou-O’Malley will be the organization’s next Co-Executive Directors. Together, Shaakir-Ansari and Marcou-O’Malley have more than 30 years combined experience at AQE, and have been instrumental in the organization’s policy and advocacy work across the … Continue reading AQE Names Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari & Marina Marcou-O’Malley Co-Executive Directors
Eric Adams cancels new round of budget cuts, but fiscal cliff for NYC schools looms
New York City’s Education Department avoids additional spring budget cuts, but the school system faces the potential loss of hundreds of millions in expiring federal aid by summer unless swift action is taken by city and state officials. Advocates warn of proposed cuts, including social workers, school budgets, and an expanded preschool program, jeopardizing support … Continue reading Eric Adams cancels new round of budget cuts, but fiscal cliff for NYC schools looms