First, have you voted? Ballots must be received by Thursday, May 30th by 9 am. Don’t procrastinate!!! A leader of one the opposition caucuses advocated working with Republicans as well as Democrats, the problem is there are none. The Republicans in Congress are all onboard, the issue that divides the Republicans is the magnitude ofContinue reading “Rumbling Thunder: Who Can Best Navigate the Impending Budget Tsunami?”
Tag Archives: news
Governor Hochul Failed the Test
Have you cast your ballot in the UFT Leadership election? Don’t tarry!! Place an X in the Unity box and into the mailbox, do it NOW!! I’ve always believed the best decisions are made by the folks closest to the kids: teachers and school leaders, hopefully facilitated by the school district leader. In other words,Continue reading “Governor Hochul Failed the Test”
Have You Cast Your Ballot in the UFT Leadership Election? Don’t Tarry
The word “politics” in our nation is oftentimes viewed as a “dirty word,” often connoting underhanded or corrupt practices. Common definitions reinforces that view, the activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power: activities within an organizationContinue reading “Have You Cast Your Ballot in the UFT Leadership Election? Don’t Tarry”
Laws and Sausages: We Need Leaders Who Can Navigate the Current Toxic Politics
“You never want to see how sausages and laws are made” Both houses of Congress are racing to write a wide range of budget bills, called markups. Since both houses have Republican majorities, the bills must satisfy the caucuses within the Republican Party. The Freedom Caucus, the most conservative are demanding dramatic reductions in Medicare,Continue reading “Laws and Sausages: We Need Leaders Who Can Navigate the Current Toxic Politics”
Get Out the Vote: The Key to Winning Elections
You win elections by identifying your voters and getting them to the polls. You win elections by giving voters a reason to vote for candidates/slate and not the other slate(s). In the 2021 mayoral primary 23% of eligible voters participated, New York City ranks 49th among major cities in voter turnout rates. In the UFTContinue reading “Get Out the Vote: The Key to Winning Elections”
Can I Be Laid Off? Are Our Pensions in Jeopardy?
At the end of Mulgrew’s Town Hall livestream a member asked “Can I be laid off?”, a question on the mind of many in the audience. Mulgrew restated the theme of his remarks, we are facing an “existential crisis,” the future of public education and teacher unions are at risk, and we must fight backContinue reading “Can I Be Laid Off? Are Our Pensions in Jeopardy?”
Vote in the UFT Election: The Future of Public Education and Your Personal Freedom Maybe Be At Risk
On May 1 ballots in UFT leadership election will go in the mail to the 189,000 members: teachers, paraprofessionals, guidance counselors, school secretaries and a number of other service providers, retirees votes are “fractional” to keep percentage of votes consistent, a long standing bylaws provision. All the officer, executive board and convention delegate positions areContinue reading “Vote in the UFT Election: The Future of Public Education and Your Personal Freedom Maybe Be At Risk”
Preparing for the Battles Ahead and Fighting Together
Always should begin with the good news, Mayor Adams’ announcement, the city would hire 3700 new teachers to comply with the Class Size Reduction law, in addition to vacancies created by retirement and resignations. Now the disturbing news: The tornado funnel in the distance is closing in, the House just passed a budget, the SenateContinue reading “Preparing for the Battles Ahead and Fighting Together”
Storm Clouds Gathering, Rolling Thunder in the Distance
The Governor and the state legislative leaders are pushing towards a budget agreement; however, governors commonly include numerous non budgetary items into the budget. Remarkably, in spite of enormously unresolved consequential issues, at the top of the list to be included in the budget is a “bell to bell” ban on cell phones in school. Shouldn’tContinue reading “Storm Clouds Gathering, Rolling Thunder in the Distance”
Picking a Mayoral Candidate(s): A Mayoral Candidate Forum and the Race for Gracie Mansion
One of things I learned as a UFT rep is that the battle is never over, whether over a contract or with a superintendent or a chancellor or a mayor or a governor, and, now with a Congress and a President. Bitching on Facebook might relieve stress, it doesn’t change the world around us,Continue reading “Picking a Mayoral Candidate(s): A Mayoral Candidate Forum and the Race for Gracie Mansion”
Ed in the Apple: Blogging on the Intersection of Education and Politics Title 