If not now, when?

Students are losing their trusted educators, and programs are being slashed. It is time for the state to fund our future and stop 20 percent cuts to education aid that have already led to cuts and layoffs in districts across the state. We cannot wait.
 
 COVID-19 is taking a devastating toll on New York, our people, and public schools, colleges, and local governments across the state, and we need more resources now! With absolutely no help coming from Washington, it's up to state lawmakers to take decisive action!

State lawmakers must do two things immediately to avoid further devastating cuts to education and other critical public services.

1) The state must access the nearly $7 billion dollars in reserves and rainy day funds that have been set aside for exactly this kind of crisis. We are facing a fiscal emergency brought on by a global health crisis: If we aren't going to use these funds now, what on earth are they for?

2) Lawmakers must ask the very richest New Yorkers to pay their fair share by enacting two revenue enhancers: a progressive income tax for those with incomes over $5 million and a pied-à-terre tax on luxury second homes in New York City.

Together, these very popular, very fair revenue enhancers—along with the reserve / rainy day funds—would provide billions of dollars to help confront this crisis and ensure that we can continue to provide the public education, health care and other services that will be needed to rebuild our state.

Take action now at the NYSUT Member Action Center to tell lawmakers to take decisive action to avoid further cuts to education and other critical public services!

The state of New York is in a crisis, and it will require bold action to get us back on solid footing.

If not now, when?

In solidarity,

Andrew Pallotta
NYSUT President


 P.S.  Tell lawmakers to release the state's reserve / rainy day funds and enact popular revenue enhancers to address the fiscal crisis facing New York!