Tag Archives: news

The Race to a NYS Budget (with sharp elbows!)

The 26-27 State Budget is due today, the legislatures passed “continuing resolutions” to keep the state afloat and the members left for the Easter/Passover break, leaving a number of contentious issues unresolved. The  governor continues to push for the authority to override local zoning regulations to build more “affordable” housing, suburban legislators pushing back. TheContinue reading “The Race to a NYS Budget (with sharp elbows!)”

A Civics Primer: Fixing Tier 6

“No one’s life, liberty or property are safe while the NYS legislature is in session,” Judge Gideon Tucker  With the signing of the Declaration of Independence the thirteen colonies became self governing states and each set about writing their own constitutions and governing structures  The constitutions and structures varied widely from state to state. New HampshireContinue reading “A Civics Primer: Fixing Tier 6”

Why Has Mamdani Pushed Education to the Bottom of his Priority List?

It was a well-crafted targeted campaign. “Freeze the Rent,” “Fast, Free Buses,” “Free Childcare,” added up to::  “affordability.”  Young voters, absent for years, jumped on board, an army of door knockers fanning out across the city.  Opposition to mayoral control and including parents and teachers in the policy-making process, another winner. In the primary a prediction:Continue reading “Why Has Mamdani Pushed Education to the Bottom of his Priority List?”

Being “.. in the room where it happens” requires political skill

As a UFT District Rep I serviced the needs of 2.000 plus union members, from answering questions, to resolving payroll and certification issues, to representing the views of teachers at the district level.  I rapidly realized I had to develop relationships: to bring Kelly, the Personnel Director’s secretary a cup of her favorite coffee. she’d smile, “WhatContinue reading “Being “.. in the room where it happens” requires political skill”

Vote for Tom Brown for Trustee of the Teachers Retirement System

I first met Tom when I was the UFT District Rep and Tom was a JHS Chapter Leader, he’d pull me into his classroom, he was a master teacher and his room looked like a travel advertisement for Spain!  Tom invited me to attend a School Leadership Team meeting, the Home Ec teacher baked chocolate chip cookies,Continue reading “Vote for Tom Brown for Trustee of the Teachers Retirement System”

Can Hochul, Mamdani and Menin Become a Polyamorous Throuple?

Running for office is exciting, rallies, crowds shouting your name, and, if you win: ecstatic!  After winning, managing is tough, constant decisions, frequently no “right” answer, crowds applauding as well as calling for your head!  Everything you inherit becomes your fault, blizzards, 5 degree weather, your fault.  Friends working in your campaign become enemies when you make a decisionContinue reading “Can Hochul, Mamdani and Menin Become a Polyamorous Throuple?”

The Polar Vortex, Spinning the News and Confronting Generational Poverty

Woke this morning, 5 degrees, I never want to hear the words “polar vortex” again, face mask, three layers, ski mittens, life goes on. Maybe Springsteen and Big Bunny have turned the tide, if there’s anyone left to write the history of our era it will be fascinating, in my darker moments I see usContinue reading “The Polar Vortex, Spinning the News and Confronting Generational Poverty”

Can Parents (and Friends) End Mayoral Control and Create an Inclusive NYC School District Leadership Collaborative?

Candidate Mamdani opposed mayoral control, he supported a system empowering a role for parents and teachers; however, without any specificity.  For many of us his opposition to mayoral control was the tipping point, it determined our vote and we expected him to establish a process to engage parents and teachers in the chancellor search. “I’ve beenContinue reading “Can Parents (and Friends) End Mayoral Control and Create an Inclusive NYC School District Leadership Collaborative?”

Is New York City Facing a Fiscal Crisis? What are the Implications?

There is no Spring Training for Mayors, a month into his tenure Mamdani faces a yawning deficit, yes, he inherited the deficit, it belongs to our new mayor. In June, 2025 Mayor Adams (and City Council) passed a $114 B budget, restoring a long list of proposed cuts.  Seven months later the newly elected Comptroller,Continue reading “Is New York City Facing a Fiscal Crisis? What are the Implications?”

A Primer: Getting Things Done in City Hall and Albany

“It’s all politics.”  (Grrr!) The dictionary definition of politics is simply the process by which governing decisions are reached. In a government classroom we may begin with Athenian Democracy, men met and decided how the city-state of Athens would be governed, only the male citizens, not the slaves, not women, the governors were randomly decided,Continue reading “A Primer: Getting Things Done in City Hall and Albany”