Power of Ten Update
In This Issue:
1. Promises, Promises
2. Vote Thursday September 13
3. Local Election Information
1) Promises, Promises
According to reports in ultra-Orthodox media, Governor Cuomo promised the Satmar Rebbe in Brooklyn that he “would not interfere” in matters of education in the ultra-Orthodox sector, in return for the support of the Rebbe.
Power of Ten Readers will remember that earlier this year, Governor Cuomo did weaken educational standards at the request of the ultra-Orthodox.
However, his spokesperson would not confirm or deny whether Cuomo made the comments to the Grand Rebbe, and the Governor told Politico that he has no direct role in oversight and he is sure NY will fully enforce the education law for all schools.
The only logical conclusion is that either:
A) The ultra-Orthodox media is misrepresenting what Gov. Cuomo said
Or
B) Gov. Cuomo is misrepresenting what Gov. Cuomo said.
All of this begs the question “Why would any elected official meet privately with a group that advocates for the educational neglect of children?”
2) Vote Thursday September 13
NY State Primary Election Day is Thursday September 13.
The issues in Albany that directly effect the educational experience of our children are: Funding and Oversight.
On both of these issues, the Democratic-led Assembly has delivered. They have passed bills which fully fund education and they passed the bill for a Monitor with Veto Power for East Ramapo. Assembly members Jaffee and Zebrowski were tireless in their advocacy for our issues.
On both issues, the Republican-led Senate has not delivered. Their funding bills have failed to meet the court ordered funding amounts and they failed to pass the bill for a Monitor with Veto Power for East Ramapo. Complicating matters in the Senate, Democratic Senator Felder and the “Independent Democratic Caucus” (IDC), which includes our own Senator Carlucci, have not supported the Democratic leadership’s version of the funding bills.
On both issues Governor Cuomo has not delivered. He has failed to fully fund and he has weakened educational standards.
Voting by itself is not enough, but it is an essential part of our struggle for Justice in East Ramapo. Power yields nothing without demand. Thursday’s trip to the voting booth is a chance for each of us to say “I am here, I matter, I will not be invisible.”
3) Local Election Information
The most hotly contested race is for NY Senate District 38, where Julie Goldberg is the challenger to incumbent David Carlucci.
There is a lot of good information on local elections from local media sources.
The Journal News: Carlucci-Goldberg primary: Candidates vying for Democratic mantle answer six questions
Preserve Ramapo: Julie Goldberg for State Senate–Sept 13 Primary