NYSUT WIELDING THE POWERS OF VOTE/COPE

November 1, 2008

In August the state Senate voted to pass a tax cap measure. It was defeated by the Assembly’s refusal to support this legislation and voted to support the NYSUT- backed alternative proposal to decrease property taxes.

NYSUT warned state Senators that a vote in favor of a tax cap would result in the union’s refusal to support their candidacy for reelection. It was a promise that was kept.

In a recent column, I alerted members to the legislative session scheduled to meet after the November elections. Governor Paterson is seeking to cut two billion dollars from this year’s budget. The only target capable of coming up with this amount of money are education and health.

The overriding concern was would school districts not receive the amount of state aid promised? Would positions be lost and programs slashed?

Negotiations between NYSUT and state Senate Republicans, who voted for the tax cap, has resulted in a firm understanding that they will not vote to cut January’s school aid payment. NYSUT’s part in this agreement is that it will now endorse and support these legislators in their bid for reelection.

Securing the full payment of this year’s school aid is a huge accomplishment. Next year’s state budget is another matter, and the outlook is not promising.

 If there is one thing a politician recognizes it is power. And the power that NYSUT wields is the power of its membership and their VOTE/COPE contributions.