Early this afternoon, we heard about the tax deal being struck.
While this certainly appears to be a promising step, there are lots of questions. NYSUT analysts are trying to find the answers.
But, first and foremost, a big THANK YOU for your advocacy for the past year. Your attendance at rallies, your letters and postcards to lawmakers, your phone calls are what got our message through. (Almost 3,600 faxes were sent last night and 1,500 more today!) Minds really had to be changed on the idea of tax fairness and, while I fear not enough may have been done yet, especially for higher education, at least something was accomplished.
We will update this post and on Twitter as we find out more.
UPDATE #1. From NYSUT Executive Vice President Andy Pallotta letter to Political Action and VOTE-COPE coordinators.
It is with a great deal of pride that I write to thank you all for your tireless activism in educating members of the Legislature and Governor Cuomo on the need to restore progressivity to our tax code. We have all sacrificed so much; it’s heartening to see that finally all New Yorkers will be paying their fair share as we move this state ahead.
Thank you for the phone calls, lobbying visits, rallies, faxes and personal conversations you have had with lawmakers. It appears to have paid off.
We will be downtown at the Capitol for the rest of the week trying to ensure that this progressive package is not derailed on its way to approval.
Yes, there are forces out there who want public employees to take on even more of the burden for a financial situation they did not create.
UPDATE #2 at 4:06 p.m.
Alliance for Quality Education has this statement on the tax reform agreement and check out the Times-Union collection of statements they are calling a React-O-Mat.
Update #3
Here’s a link to official press release with lots of detail on the three-way agreement. Lots of detail except, are schools included in flood relief? I apologize if I seem to focus too much on those areas. But having walked through schools that sustained devastating flood-related damage, the list reads “$21 million for small businesses, farms, multiple-dwellings and non-profit organizations.” Maybe that does include schools. They are non-profit organizations. And I wonder what kind of workforce training qualifies for the inner-city youth employment programs? Knowing how higher education groups are hurting, I hope some of that $37 million goes to those proven programs.
Update #4 at 4:52 p.m.
Update #5 at 5:10 p.m.
NYSUT issues statement on the deal. “This agreement provides the revenue that will make it possible for New York state to begin restoring cuts that have so burdened our schools and campuses. Clearly, more is needed and we look forward to a state budget that reflects how revenue is allocated,” said NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi.
Update #6
Public Employees Federation issues statement. “The agreement announced today on tax reform is a step in the right direction but unfortunately falls short in obtaining the goal of a fair tax system.”
Update #7 at 5:49 p.m.
Update #8 at 6:07 p.m.
Good news for 853 and Special Act schools because of the deal on the MTA payroll tax. Kudos to Liz Benjamin and this post for explaining it, and constantly updating it.
Update #9 at 6:09 p.m.
The West coast, as in LA Times, weighs in on the deal. I provide this link just because it’s fun to read how others portray New York to their readers.
Update #10 at 6:22 p.m.
Strong Economy For All issues statement. “While today’s deal marks a step in the right direction by rightly asking the 1% to pay more of their fair share, we still have strong concerns about revenue — particularly about adequate funding for the safety net and human services in the coming budget. Our coalition will continue to work together to close corporate loopholes, support long-term progressive tax reform, and ensure sufficient funding for the schools, services and safety net
New Yorkers need and deserve.”
Update #11
New York State AFL-CIO issues statement.
Update #12 at 6:32 p.m.
Twitterverse says business leaders and board members of Committee to Save New York have released statements supporting the tax deal. Nothing is up on their web site. More kudos to Liz Benjamin for this compilation on other reactions.
Update #13 at 6:44 p.m.
NYSUT sends a special briefing to local leaders.
Update #14 at 6:50 p.m.
Not really an update. Just for those who have this fear, I wanted to have another number. It’s time to sign off. Enjoy your
night all!
Update #15 Dec. 8
Professional Staff Congress Barbara Bowen issues statement on the tax deal.
Betsy,
This is an impressive compilation of updates. Thanks for being on top of this!