While the State Senate discussed and passed an amended version of the

Governor's bill to increase aid by $10 billion to New York’s school children and

address the Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) decision, the Assembly Majority

did nothing.

I returned to Albany in response to the Governor’s call to resolve the CFE

issue, a Court mandate which calls for comprehensive education reform and

school accountability measures. But instead of addressing the CFE issue, Speaker

Sheldon Silver killed the bill in committee before it could be considered on the

Assembly floor for full debate and discussion.

I’m appalled at the Assembly Democrats’ lack of respect of the Governor’s

extraordinary session and their refusal to allow the bill to come to the floor for

debate. Yesterday’s shameful display shows the degree to which their decision

was predetermined and undemocratic.

If agreement is not reached by the July 30 deadline, the Court will impose a

solution that will only address New York City schools and no other school

districts across the state.

The Assembly Majority failed to seize on a historic opportunity to reform

school funding and provide our children with the quality education they deserve.

In doing so, they demonstrated their complete disregard for the children outside

New York City and for the people of this state. By failing to act on the CFE

legislation, Assembly Democrats put critical decisions into the hands of

individuals who have not been elected to represent New Yorkers on important

issues.