It is now two weeks until the school budget revote date. Across the state, only 32 districts did not pass their budgets on the first try and 21 of those really passed, but did not reach the 60 percent supermajority needed to override their tax cap. Districts can either adopt a 0 percent increase to their [...]

Schools districts across the state have 10 days to adopt their 2013-14 school budgets. Most news articles I’ve seen point to districts choosing to stay within their property tax cap rates. Here’s a compilation for lower-Hudson area schools from the Journal News. In Schenectady County, where I live, so far one district is going to [...]

It’s nine weeks before the May 21 school budget vote. By now all of the districts, except the Big 5 that don’t have school budget votes, should know their tax cap number. By now newspapers and television stations are reporting budget cuts, like this one in Warwick. Here’s a radio report about the Wyoming, NY schools [...]

I love a parade, the tramping of feet, I love every beat I hear of a drum. I love a parade, when I hear a band I just want to stand and cheer as they come. Yes, that song is from the 1931 film Manhattan Parade. It’s in my head as I’m looking forward to the [...]

A good underdog story sells. Underdog stories are about a person or group working against all odds to make it to the big time in sports, business, the movies, the circus, or to win a battle or true love, or to graduate medical school, or even high school. So here’s news of the Hancock Select [...]

Tuesday is a busy day at the state Capitol. Members of the United Federation of Teachers — NYSUT’s largest local —  host a legislative reception starting at 8:30 a.m. Then lawmakers will start hearing testimony about the proposed budget at 10 a.m. NYSUT’s testimony will be delivered by Executive Vice President Andy Pallotta and Director [...]

Today is a day the AFL-CIO, SEIU, the Campaign for America’s Future and thousands of Americans across the country are urging members to call Congress about the fiscal cliff. When you dial that number you will be prompted to press 1 for the House of Representative or 2 for the U.S. Senate. It’s important to [...]

I can understand if you haven’t been paying attention to the fiscal cliff talks. In general, I find them maddening, like this article that has Republicans refusing to let the Bush tax cuts expire on the top 2 percent. But what’s even more maddening is sequestration, which happens before the fiscal cliff. Here’s a CBS [...]

A technical glitch kept this from posting Nov. 23. The message remains as important as ever. If you’re off work today, congratulations. That means you have plenty of time to check out the Educate NY Now Express. That bus takes off from parts across the state on Dec. 5; so put it on your calendar [...]

Facts matter. Tonight, hundreds are expected to rally in Alexandra Bay to support American workers. Starting at 5 p.m. at the village’s downtown pavillion, hundreds will express support for American jobs. NYSUT members will speak out about the economic plans that will help the middle class and working families. Congratulations to the Yonkers Federation of [...]