The NYS budget cycle is April 1 to March 31, if the governor/legislatures fail to reach an agreement the legislature passes a “continuing resolution” to keep the state solvent, meaning the ability to pay bills and pay state employees. Cuomo prided himself on timely budgets, each of Governor Hochel’s budgets has been late and thisContinue reading “Is the Mayor Planning to Defund the Affinity District Partner Organizations?”
Tag Archives: news
A Primer: Who Manages Our Pensions? How Does the System Work?
In the last Constitutional Convention, in 1938, the phase “…public employee pensions may not be diminished or impaired,” was added to the State Constitution. Changing the constitution requires votes in both houses of the state legislatures in two consecutive sessions followed by a statewide referendum of voters. In other words our pensions are secured by theContinue reading “A Primer: Who Manages Our Pensions? How Does the System Work?”
Don’t Worry, Public Employee Pensions are Guaranteed and Safe
After July first, nineteen hundred forty, membership in any pension or retirement system of the state or of a civil division thereof shall be a contractual relationship, the benefits of which shall not be diminished or impaired. (New. Adopted by Constitutional Convention of 1938 and approved by vote of the people November 8, 1938.) TheContinue reading “Don’t Worry, Public Employee Pensions are Guaranteed and Safe”
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”
Ed in the Apple: Blogging on the Intersection of Education and Politics Title 