NY State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm A. Smith addresses a delegation of UFTers and their guests in Albany.
March 17 was UFT Albany Lobby Day. It was a day for UFTers to have their say about the state of education inside the chambers of legislative officials. The message was clear: “Invest in education because kids don’t get a second chance.” It was also an opportunity for legislators to articulate their positions on the current financial crisis, the recession, and the budget deficit.
The UFT is fortunate to have the support of many legislators in the Assembly and Senate, notably Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Senate Majority Leader Malcolm A. Smith, Senate Education Committee Chair Suzi Oppenheimer and Assembly Education Chair Catherine Nolan. And as these elected officials addressed the delegation of educators from the lectern, their words of support echoed through the Washington Avenue Armory.
This day marked a continuation of the union’s fight for schools to get a fair share of the budget. And as the UFTers moved throughout the Legislative Office Buildings, they were on a mission to prevent another series of cuts to classrooms.
Certainly educators and taxpayers have every right to challenge those who represent them in government. Furthermore, US citizens have the right to hold legislators accountable for the pledges made regarding their commitment to education. Finally, UFT Albany Lobby Day is an excellent opportunity for teachers to have a say about things which impact the lives of their students. It is also a time to listen. Because the next opportunity to have a say will be at the polls.
