Zephyr Teachout on Education

Cuomo has completely abandoned schools

Zephyr Teachout hit Cuomo on education, charging that he has "completely abandoned schools."

Teachout said, by necessity, she'll keep her public message simpler, sticking to three main themes: anti-corruption, education and the economy. She expects her media coverage will be limited, so plans to streamline her sound bites.

While many Downtowners detest charter schools, [a Harlem legislator ] said the main problem, for him, isn't charters per se, but co-locating them in buildings with regular public schools. "Co-locations have torn at the fabric of my community. I'm not against charters. But co-locations are horrible." And, in fact, many inner-city families see charters as a pathway to a better life for their children.

The public school system has been robbed

Teachout has reserved her harshest words for Cuomo's cuts to public education. "[The New York public school system] has been robbed," she said. "Cuomo started his governorship proposing the largest cut to education funding in state history. You can't have public education without art and music and counseling, all the things a kid needs to become a person, not this little widget."

Public education is the foundation of democracy

Governor Cuomo has abandoned our public schools. His drastic budget cuts are short-sighted and entirely unnecessary. Under his tenure, class sizes have swollen to record levels. New York school districts have had to eliminate tens of thousands of educator positions. This means schools have had to slash art, music, and sports, among other programs.

Stop looting public school system to serve wealthy interests

Teachout was a virtual unknown until she emerged late last month as contender for the WFP's gubernatorial nomination. A former organizer for Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign, Teachout quickly gained favor among the party's hard core liberal activists, many of whom believe Cuomo's policies have gone too far in favoring businesses and the wealthy.

Shrugging off Cuomo's strong standing in the polls and his immense fundraising advantage, Teachout vowed to run an energetic campaign and expressed confidence that she would not lack the financial resources to win. "It is going to be great summer of Democracy--a 3-month summer of Democracy," Teachout said.

Opposes vouchers to let parents choose public or private school.

The Christian Coalition Voter Guide inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Education vouchers that allow parents to choose a public or private school for their children' The Christian Coalition notes, "You can help make sure that voters have the facts BEFORE they cast their votes. We have surveyed candidates in the most competitive congressional races on the issues that are important to conservatives."