Can you make a call to help let our elected officials know that the proposed tax cap will destroy our public schools??
Yesterday, New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver announced his support for a property tax cap legislation bill that will spell disaster for New York's public schools. While Silver's bill would exempt pension costs that go above 2%, it would do nothing about things like health insurance and fuel costs that have been escalating in price astronomically. School districts capped at 2% unless 60% of the population votes for a higher budget would be forced to cut programs or seek benefit reductions in negotiations. One need only look at what has happened in California since their tax cap went into effect, and the one Silver proposed is worse, perhaps the worst in the nation.
The AFL-CIO has set up a toll free number to call,
1-877-255-9417. Press 3 for Assembly.
Here is what you can tell your representative:
1) You are strongly opposed to the 2% property tax cap proposed by Speaker Silver.
2) Capping expenditures at 2% when costs of things like health insurance and fuel are rising by double digits is irresponsible.
3) You support a circuit-breaker property tax cap that offers real tax relief to people in real need because it is tied to people's incomes.
4) You recognize that the state has financial difficulties but can't understand why the legislature is refusing to extend the so-called millionaires tax.
This is one of those moments when we can each make a difference while there is still time. Albany needs to hear from us in big numbers. Call your representative and tell him or her to vote NO on this ill-conceived tax cap.
More NEWS:
Lobbying groups have been successful in Wisconsin at helping to force through recall elections for 6 tea party Republicans who led the charge against teachers and public employees. Remember, these are the individuals who were instrumental in taking away the collective bargaining rights of Wisc. public employees. This is big news and could be the beginning of the end of Gov. Scott Walker's right-wing crusade.
