New York City residents have a ringside seat in the blossoming battle between Mayor Bill de Blasio and Gov. Andrew Cuomo over what they believe is in the best interests of children.
Round One centers around de Blasio’s campaign promise to provide free, full-day universal pre-kindergarten (UPK) to all 4- year olds, courtesy of tax payments by anyone making more than $500,000 a year.
Cuomo is also in favor of expanded UPK, but he doesn’t want to raise taxes to do it (especially this year, when he is running for a second term). He claims there is enough money in the state’s coffers to pay for the new program statewide and not just for New York City-a claim de Blasio and his supporters dispute.
Round Two focuses on charter schools. De Blasio has waged a campaign to deny them free space in local public school buildings. The governor, however, pledged his support for city charter schools and pledged to pay their rent if they are denied space in public school buildings.
On Tuesday, Mar. 4, the two sides converged in Albany for “Rally Day.” De Blasio brought with him city lawmakers and union workers to the state capitol to advocate his tax-the-rich plan for expanded UPK.
“This is the year the people’s voice is going to ring loud,” said de Blasio in Albany, but there are those who claim de Blasio speaks only for the unions and not for all “the people.”
One could draw such a conclusion based on de Blasio’s ties to the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), the city’s public school teachers union. The UFT, which backed de Blasio in last year’s mayoral campaign, has long opposed the proliferation of charter schools since many of them employ non-union educators.
At a separate rally, Cuomo greeted a large contingent of charter school supporters who oppose the mayor’s plan to cut funding and limit the co-location of charter schools in district school buildings.
“It’s not just about putting more money in the public school system, it’s trying something new and that’s what charter schools are all about,” Cuomo said. He offered similar statements supporting charter schools in a meeting this week with Wall Street executives and financiers-the same people de Blasio would tax for expanded UPK, the same people Cuomo needs to rely on for political support.
About 70,000 New York City students attend charter schools and by all reports they are doing much bettter than traditional public school students. The schools’ operations are supported by the state, but they do not receive funds for facilities-which is why many city charter schools share space with standard public schools.
Meanwhile, many studies have boasted the benefits of early childhood education such as UPK, as the earlier a child’s education starts, the better chances he/she will earn both academic and career success later in life.
Both charter schools and UPK have tremendous merit, and they both threaten to be caught between the punches de Blasio and Cuomo throw at one another. Only one of these two political tough guys will win, but don’t let the children lose.
