The Albany Times-Union is the newspaper of the state capitol in Néw York. Its editorial board penned this scathing editorial about Governor Cuomo’s war on the state’s public schools (read it all, not just this excerpt):
“A governor who perennially complains about schools’ insatiable appetite for money has suddenly found millions of dollars to burn though for his Parental Choice in Education Act. It’s a public-private partnership of the worst sort – the public pays the tab, private schools and wealthy donors reap the benefits.
“Perhaps Mr. Cuomo sees this as another way to break what he calls the “public education monopoly” – as if public schools were not something in which we all have a stake. But Mr. Cuomo seems to have conflated public education with his animosity for teachers’ unions.
“His proposal would allow donors to take a tax credit of 75 percent of their donations to nonprofit education foundations, up to $1 million. Senate and Assembly versions of the bill would allow up to 90 percent. That’s money shaved off a person’s or a corporation’s tax bill – and they could roll it from year to year if the credit exceeded their tax liability.
“That this is really a tax break for affluent donors is evidenced by the cumbersome process involved. The state would require taxpayers to apply for the credit before even making a contribution, by first filling out a form saying how much they planned to donate and to whom. It’s a program for folks with accountants on speed dial rather than for average New Yorkers who just want to help out their parish school or local charter school.
“The governor’s program would cost taxpayers $70 million this year, only $20 million of which could go to public schools. The Legislature proposes $150 million, rising to $300 million by 2018; up to half could go to public schools, the other half to foundations or other entities benefitting private schools. But after paying taxes, who’s lining up to write another check to public schools?”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
More and more people are beginning to see the big picture. But those trying to destroy high quality public education still have the advantage of money, control of (most of) the press, control of key politicians, and of public apathy or misunderstanding. Let’s hope editorialists like these folks can help mobilize the 99% to “follow the money” while public education worthy of the name still exists.
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Cuomo is secretly Scott Walker’s twin brother. We need to begin impeachment efforts against a governor who has failed to fulfill the deal made to resolve the CFE court decision! All it takes is 76 members of the Assembly to bring impeachment charges.
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My parents, both children of immigrants, attended parochial schools, which were subsidized by parishes and the cheap labor of clergy and nuns. This system is no longer sustainable, but now it looks like the state will pick up the tab for failing Catholic and other denominational schools if Cuomo has his way. Religious and charter schools can pick and choose their students (even poach them), but public schools must take everyone, and that’s how it should be. But the public, which already subsidizes religion through tax exemption, does not need to further the objectives of specific religious or private groups through tax credits. Some of these schools do not meet state standards. They discriminate on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, etc. and they do not offer the arts or music at all in some cases. We are not just being asked to subsidize, we are being asked to subsidize something that has questionable value.
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Separation of church and state is most important. History tells us this fact
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Agree with all you say, Kate, and thank you for the concrete details. The state’s first priority is its public schools. At a time when public school funds are cut, the governor chooses to give tax credits to private school parents. It is unconscionable.
I would like to rally state legislators, but I cannot determine if this “plan” is an executive act, or proposed legislation which needs to be passed. Somehow all the publicity makes it appear to be a done deal. But I am hoping there may be room for input, and that we could contact our legislators.
Does anyone know?
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We are losing control of our society to the monied interests. That is the real issue. The extreme unequal distribution of income and wealth is enabling the privatization of public institutions. What is happening to public education is clearly a consequence of this.
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I agree. The deep pocketed 1% have too much influence over our country. They are buying access to change our nation from a democracy to an oligarchy. Democracy is an “inconvenience” for them.
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It’s so petty. How long is he planning on punishing every public school kid in the state because teachers unions defied him?
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Cuomo’s plan makes it explicit that part of so-called “reform” is to turn K12 education into a vanity project for very wealthy people who want to prove they care by buying a school.
From Cuomo’s perspective, and that of the “reformers,” they are the only ones who really care about kids, and they prove it by their donations. I’m sure they must feel that the rest of us are ungrateful.
What baloney.
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Is this program pending a vote in the State legislature? Can it be stopped or is it a done deal?
Where is Mayor DeBlasio on this? In the eyes of NYC voters, he is a champion of public schools. His voice is needed.
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If one follows the money trail, I wonder where it would lead?
Hmm.
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Into quid pro cuomo’s pockets.
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