Issues: Education

For Immediate Release: January 26, 2010Contact: Heather Zeisz | zeisz@senate.state.ny.us | 716.854.8705

Amherst, NY- New York State Senator Antoine M. Thompson (D-Parts of Erie & Niagara Counties) will be visiting the Just For Kids after school program at Dodge Elementary School so that the children can donate their non-perishable food items to the Haiti Relief Fund through Thompson’s district office.  The event will take place on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 3:00 PM at 1900 Dodge Road in Amherst.

January 25 to February 25 has been designated “New York State Student Financial Aid Awareness Month” by Governor David A. Paterson, marking a period during which the State will host a series of events to help New York’s students and families learn about the many financial aid opportunities available to help pay for college, and how to apply for them. 

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Running a race in the wrong direction gets you nowhere. Race to the Top is about competition and we cannot put our children at a competitive disadvantage by passing imprudent legislation. Nothing is more important than our shared Constitutional obligation to a sound, basic, and quality education. The bill I sponsored with Assembly Speaker Silver would have maximized our eligibility for federal funds, while bringing greater transparency, accountability, and parental input to the charter school process. 

NEW YORK- On January 14th, State Senator and Deputy Majority Leader Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) joined more than 800 Bronx Catholic School parents and elected officials in urging Governor Paterson to reimburse independent and religious schools approximately 243-million dollars.

The rally, held at Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx, also focused on promoting legislation (S5832) sponsored by Klein, that would mandate reimbursement for religious and independent schools for the cost of the MTA payroll tax totaling $6 million annually.