[ProgressiveEd] news from Albany, and how you can help save our schools from more budget cuts
Leonie Haimson
[email protected]
Mon, 10 Mar 2003 12:36:02 -0500
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
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Last week was full of political and education news. I was up in Albany =
again, lobbying the Legislature on the need to restore the disastrous =
$1.2 billion cuts to education proposed by the Governor, particularly =
his proposal to eliminate all funding for preK and class size reduction. =
The members and staffers we met with were sympathetic to our concerns, =
even those who were Republican state senators, who had already heard an =
earful from their constituents about how these cuts would either force =
their schools to cut back on essential services or force large increases =
in their property taxes.
The cuts to our schools here in NYC would mean the elimination of 43,000 =
preK seats, and larger class sizes for at least 160,000 kids in grades =
K-3rd. It would probably lead to larger classes for students in all =
other grades as well, since NYC might have to reduce the size of the =
overall teaching force by as many as 3,000 to 4,000. =20
On Tuesday, I was with a group from the Alliance for Quality Education, =
and the officials we met with were especially impressed with the fact =
that we also came with a specific proposal for revenue to cover the =
budget shortfall -- closing corporate tax loopholes and imposing a small =
temporary surcharge on those with high incomes, which would protect our =
kids' education and damage the state's economy much less than cuts to =
basic services, according to the Nobel Prize winning economist Joseph =
Steiglitz. It would also be a fairer way to raise revenue than a rise =
in property or sales taxes, since in NY state, the wealthiest 5% of =
households presently pay a much smaller share of their income in state =
and local taxes than all other New Yorkers.
Last Monday, the unions started a TV ad campaign, publicizing how =
disastrous these cuts would be to education and health care, and =
proposing this same menu of revenue alternatives. (You can read about =
this ad campaign in Thursday's NY Times at =
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/07/nyregion/07LABO.html)
According to the Fiscal Policy Institute, a modest, temporary surcharge =
of seven-tenths of one percent (.007) on only that portion of a =
taxpayer's Income above $100,000, and another seven tenths of one =
percent (.007) on the portions of income above $200,000 would raise =
between $2.7 to $3.0 billion annually -- preventing the need for any =
cuts to our schools. This would still leave upper income taxpayers with =
much lower taxes than in 2001, because of the Bush tax cuts and the =
deductibility of state and local income taxes.
For example, a typical family of four with an income of $150,000 would =
pay only $350 more in state taxes under this proposal --but would still =
pay nearly $2,000 less in overall taxes, because of the federal tax cuts =
and deductability of state and local taxes. A family of four with an =
income of $300,000 would pay about $2000 more in state taxes, but their =
overall tax bill would still be lower by more than $3500. (for more =
info on this, see =
http://www.fiscalpolicy.org/CORRECTED%20feb%204%20budget%20briefing.pdf)
If you agree that this would be a fair, livable alternative to huge cuts =
to our schools, I urge you to call the leaders of the Legislature and =
your own state legislators today, and tell them that they should restore =
the education cuts by closing corporate loopholes and imposing a modest =
surcharge on upper income taxpayers. You can find their contact =
information on my webpage at =
http://www.classsizematters.org/whatyoucando.html. Also, please =
consider going up to Albany on March 25 for lobby day with the same =
message; buses are leaving from all the districts.
In other news, Bloomberg and Klein announced that there would be 20,000 =
new seats next year in schools next year, to ease overcrowding. While =
15,000 of these seats will come through the construction of new schools =
that were already in the pipeline when Bloomberg was elected, the =
remaining 5,000 will be freed up as a result of the elimination of the =
district offices from school buildings. (see the article by Nick Chiles =
of Newsday: =
http://www.nynewsday.com/news/education/nyc-nyskul073161043mar07,0,371836=
5.story?coll=3Dnyc%2Dtopheadlines%2Dleft)=20
While this is clearly good, there are alot of caveats. First of all, =
only 8,000 more seats will be available in September of the following =
year - 5,000 through construction and 3,000 through the elimination of =
the district offices, showing how drastically Bloomberg has cut back on =
the construction budget for schools, despite his campaign promise to =
accelerate the process. Secondly, as David Seifman of the NY Post =
article pointed out, the seats made available don't come close to the =
estimated 78,000 seats needed to relieve overcrowding. =
http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/55564.htm And much of the space =
that has been made available is located in some of the less crowded =
districts.
Finally, though Randi Weingarten held out the possibility that this =
could also help out in the critical need to reduce class size in our =
public schools, Klein himself mentioned the possibility of putting =
charter schools in these spaces instead. =
http://www.nydailynews.com/03-07-2003/news/story/65166p-60707c.html
Even so, it was especially sweet to hear the following words from Randi, =
as quoted in the NY Times:" It's about time that they at least gave a =
blueprint on this piece, because parents and teachers look at reduction =
of class size as the single most important investment the public =
education system can do." =
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/07/education/07KLEI.html
If you haven't already, please sign our petition to Chancellor Klein, =
asking him to reduce class size in our public schools, at =
http://www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/classsize/ It has almost 800 =
signatures -- when it nears 1,000, I plan to ask Klein for a meeting to =
discuss the need for further class size in more depth.
Another great column from Bob Herbert of the New York Times follows, in =
case you didn't see it, on how unfair and hypocritical these education =
cuts are, both here in NY and in other states, at the same time that we =
are about to embark on a hugely expensive and pointless war. I will =
also append the info on how you can contact the Governor, the leaders of =
the state Legislature, and your own legislators today.=20
thanks,
Leonie Haimson
Class Size Matters
124 Waverly Pl.
New York, NY 10011
212-674-7320
[email protected]
www.classsizematters.org
=
_________________________________________________________________________=
____=20
The War on Schools
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/06/opinion/06HERB.html
By BOB HERBERT
The New York Times
March 6, 2003
There's something surreal about the fact that the United States of =
America, the richest, most powerful nation in history, can't provide a =
basic public school education for all of its children.
Actually, that's wrong. Strike the word "can't." The correct word is =
more damning, more reflective of the motives of the people in power. The =
correct word is "won't."
Without giving the costs much thought, we'll spend hundreds of billions =
of dollars on an oil-powered misadventure in the Middle East. But we =
won't scrape together the money for sufficient textbooks and teachers, =
or even, in some cases, to keep the doors open at public schools in =
struggling districts from Boston on the East Coast to Portland on the =
West.
In Oregon, which is one of many states facing an extreme budget crisis, =
teachers have agreed to work two weeks without pay, thus averting plans =
to shorten the school year by nearly five weeks. A funding crisis in =
Texas, where the state share of school financing has reached a 50-year =
low and is expected to go lower, has local officials preparing for cuts =
in everything from extracurricular activities and elective subjects =
(like journalism) to teachers, counselors and nurses.
"Districts across the state have been in a cost-cutting mode for a =
number of years," said Karen Soehnge of the Texas Association of School =
Administrators. "When you continue that cutting over a lengthy period of =
time, you're cutting to the bone. We're concerned because in Texas we =
have increased standards for student learning. So we have increasing =
expectations and diminishing resources, two irreconcilable forces."
Similar stories can be heard in state after state. In New York, more =
than 1,000 students, teachers, administrators and activists traveled to =
Albany on Tuesday to march against proposed state budget cuts that are =
so severe they mock the very idea of the sound, basic education the =
state is obliged by law to provide.
Among the banners and signs waved by the students was a placard that =
showed an American flag and said: "Public Education - An American Dream. =
A Dream That No One Wants to Pay For."
The superintendent of the Buffalo school system, Marion Canedo, was =
among those who traveled to Albany. When she talks about the cuts she's =
had to make and the cuts currently being considered, her voice has the =
tone of someone who has just witnessed a chain-reaction auto wreck.
"It's the worst thing I've ever seen, and I've been in the district 35 =
years," she said. "I mean we're looking at crazy things, like a four-day =
week, no kindergarten, no pre-kindergarten, no sports."
If Gov. George Pataki's proposed cuts are enacted, the Buffalo schools =
will be in a $65 million budget hole, with no viable solutions in sight.
"I've done everything I could think of," Ms. Canedo said. "I've closed =
schools. I've suspended service at schools. It's been horrible."
There is no way to overstate the gulf between the need for funding and =
the reality of funding in urban school districts. And that gulf is =
widening, not narrowing.
Ms. Canedo gave one example of the many extraordinary needs. "I have =
students who come here as maybe sophomores speaking no English =
whatsoever," she said. "We have to make sure they pass the English =
Regents or they're not going to have a high school diploma. Our job, our =
core mission, is to educate, not to warehouse. So we need to give that =
student extra English all year long."
Education is the food that nourishes the nation's soul. When public =
officials refuse to provide adequate school resources for the young, =
it's the same as parents refusing to feed their children.
It's unconscionable. It's criminal.
The public school picture across the country is wildly uneven. There are =
many superb school districts. But there are so many places like Buffalo =
(including big and small cities and rural areas), where the schools are =
deliberately starved of the resources they need, and those districts are =
the shame of a great nation.
When it comes to education financing, the divisions among federal, state =
and local government entities are mostly artificial. It's everyone's =
obligation to educate the next generation of Americans.
It's an insane society that can contemplate devastating and then =
rebuilding Iraq, but can't bring itself to provide schooling for all of =
its young people here at home. =20
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-----------------------------------------------------------=20
Please contact the Governor, Assembly Speaker Silver, and Senate =
Majority Leader Bruno, by phone, letter or fax. Ask them to restore all =
cuts to education, including full funding for preK and class size =
reduction, including $225 million for smaller classes, as they =
originally agreed to do when this program began. Instead, they should =
close corporate loopholes and put a modest income tax surcharge on those =
making more than $100,000 per year.
Governor George Pataki:=20
State Capitol=20
Albany NY, 12224
telephone: 518-474-8390 or 212-681-4580.
Fax: 518- 474-1513
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver:=20
250 Broadway, Ste. 23rd Fl.
New York, NY 10007
telephone: 518-455-3791 or 212-312-1420
Fax: 518 -455-5459 or 212- 312-1418=20
Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno:=20
Majority Leader
909 Legislative Office Bldg. Albany, NY 12247
telephone: 518-455-3191.
Fax: 518- 455-2448=20
2. Next, send the same message to your state legislators. Just go to =
NYPIRG's page, plug in your zip code and address, and your legislators' =
names and contact information will appear: =20
http://www.cmap.nypirg.org/netmaps/MyGovernment/NYC/MyGovernmentNYC.asp?c=
md=3Dstart.=20
.
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<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2><STRONG>Last week was full of political =
and=20
education news</STRONG>. I was up in Albany again, lobbying the=20
Legislature on the need to restore the disastrous $1.2 billion cuts =
to=20
education proposed by the Governor, particularly his proposal to =
eliminate all=20
funding for preK and class size reduction. The members and =
staffers we met=20
with were sympathetic to our concerns, even those who were Republican =
state=20
senators, who had already heard an earful from their constituents about =
how=20
these cuts would either force their schools to cut back on essential =
services or=20
force large increases in their property taxes.<BR><BR><STRONG><EM>The =
cuts to=20
our schools here in NYC would mean the elimination of 43,000 preK seats, =
and=20
larger class sizes for at least 160,000 kids in grades K-3rd. It =
would=20
probably lead to larger classes for students in all other grades as =
well, since=20
NYC might have to reduce the size of the overall teaching force by as =
many as=20
3,000 to 4,000. <BR></EM></STRONG><BR>On Tuesday, I was with =
a group=20
from the Alliance for Quality Education, and the officials we met with =
were=20
especially impressed with the fact that we also came with a specific =
proposal=20
for revenue to cover the budget shortfall -- <STRONG><EM>closing =
corporate tax=20
loopholes and imposing a small temporary surcharge on those with high=20
incomes</EM></STRONG>, which would protect our kids' education and =
damage the=20
state's economy much less than cuts to basic services, according to the =
Nobel=20
Prize winning economist Joseph Steiglitz. It would also be a =
fairer way to=20
raise revenue than a rise in property or sales taxes, since in NY state, =
the=20
wealthiest 5% of households presently pay a much smaller share of their =
income=20
in state and local taxes than all other New =
Yorkers.<BR><BR>Last Monday,=20
the unions started a TV ad campaign, publicizing how disastrous these =
cuts would=20
be to education and health care, and proposing this same menu of revenue =
alternatives. (You can read about this ad campaign in Thursday's NY =
Times at <A=20
href=3D"http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/07/nyregion/07LABO.html">http://ww=
w.nytimes.com/2003/03/07/nyregion/07LABO.html</A>)</FONT></DIV><FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2>
<DIV><BR>According to the Fiscal Policy Institute, a modest, temporary =
surcharge=20
of seven-tenths of one percent (.007) on only that portion of a =
taxpayer=92s=20
Income above $100,000, and another seven tenths of one percent (.007) on =
the=20
portions of income above $200,000 would raise between <STRONG>$2.7 to =
$3.0=20
billion annually -- preventing the need for any cuts to our =
schools.</STRONG>=20
This would still leave upper income taxpayers with much lower taxes than =
in=20
2001, because of the Bush tax cuts and the deductibility of state and =
local=20
income taxes.</DIV>
<DIV><BR><EM>For example, a typical family of four with an income of =
$150,000=20
would pay only $350 more in state taxes under this proposal --but would =
still=20
pay nearly $2,000 less in overall taxes, because of the federal tax cuts =
and=20
deductability of state and local taxes. A family of four with an =
income of=20
$300,000 would pay about $2000 more in state taxes, but their overall =
tax bill=20
would still be lower by more than $3500</EM>. (for more info on =
this, see=20
<A=20
href=3D"http://www.fiscalpolicy.org/CORRECTED feb 4 budget =
briefing.pdf">http://www.fiscalpolicy.org/CORRECTED%20feb%204%20budget%20=
briefing.pdf</A>)</DIV>
<DIV><BR><STRONG>If you agree that this would be a fair, livable =
alternative to=20
huge cuts to our schools, I urge you to call the leaders of the =
Legislature and=20
your own state legislators today, and tell them that they should restore =
the=20
education cuts by closing corporate loopholes and imposing a modest =
surcharge on=20
upper income taxpayers.</STRONG> You can find their contact information =
on my=20
webpage at <A=20
href=3D"http://www.classsizematters.org/whatyoucando.html">http://www.cla=
sssizematters.org/whatyoucando.html</A>. =20
<STRONG><EM>Also, please consider going up to Albany on March 25 for =
lobby day=20
with the same message;</EM></STRONG> buses are leaving from all the =
districts.</DIV>
<DIV><BR><EM><STRONG>In other news, Bloomberg and Klein announced that =
there=20
would be 20,000 new seats next year in schools next year, to ease=20
overcrowding</STRONG>.</EM> While 15,000 of these seats will come =
through the=20
construction of new schools that were already in the pipeline when =
Bloomberg was=20
elected, the remaining 5,000 will be freed up as a result of the =
elimination of=20
the district offices from school buildings. (see the article by =
Nick=20
Chiles of Newsday: <A=20
href=3D"http://www.nynewsday.com/news/education/nyc-nyskul073161043mar07,=
0,3718365.story?coll=3Dnyc%2Dtopheadlines%2Dleft">http://www.nynewsday.co=
m/news/education/nyc-nyskul073161043mar07,0,3718365.story?coll=3Dnyc%2Dto=
pheadlines%2Dleft</A>)=20
</DIV>
<DIV><BR>While this is clearly good, there are alot of caveats. =
First of=20
all, only 8,000 more seats will be available in September of the =
following year=20
- 5,000 through construction and 3,000 through the elimination of the =
district=20
offices, showing how drastically Bloomberg has cut back on the =
construction=20
budget for schools, despite his campaign promise to accelerate the=20
process. Secondly, as David Seifman of the NY Post article pointed =
out,=20
the seats made available don't come close to the estimated 78,000 =
seats=20
needed to relieve overcrowding. <A=20
href=3D"http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/55564.htm">http://www.nyp=
ost.com/news/regionalnews/55564.htm</A> =20
And much of the space that has been made=20
available is located in some of the less crowded =
districts.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Finally, though Randi Weingarten held out the possibility that this =
could=20
also help out in the critical need to reduce class size in our =
public=20
schools, Klein himself mentioned the possibility of putting charter =
schools in=20
these spaces instead. <A=20
href=3D"http://www.nydailynews.com/03-07-2003/news/story/65166p-60707c.ht=
ml">http://www.nydailynews.com/03-07-2003/news/story/65166p-60707c.html</=
A></DIV>
<DIV><BR>Even so, it was especially sweet to hear the following words =
from=20
Randi, as quoted in the NY Times:"<STRONG> It's about time that they at =
least=20
gave a blueprint on this piece, because parents and teachers look at =
reduction=20
of class size as the single most important investment the public =
education=20
system can do."</STRONG> <A=20
href=3D"http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/07/education/07KLEI.html">http://w=
ww.nytimes.com/2003/03/07/education/07KLEI.html</A></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><EM>If you haven't already, please sign our petition to =
Chancellor=20
Klein, asking him to reduce class size in our public schools, at=20
</EM></STRONG><A=20
href=3D"http://www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/classsize/"><STRONG><EM>http:=
//www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/classsize/</EM></STRONG></A> =20
It has almost 800 signatures -- when it nears 1,000, I plan to ask Klein =
for a=20
meeting to discuss the need for further class size in more depth.</DIV>
<DIV><BR>Another great column from Bob Herbert of the New York Times =
follows, in=20
case you didn't see it, on how unfair and hypocritical these education =
cuts are,=20
both here in NY and in other states, at the same time that we are =
about to=20
embark on a hugely expensive and pointless war. I =
will also=20
append the info on how you can contact the Governor, the leaders of =
the=20
state Legislature, and your own legislators today. </DIV>
<DIV><BR>thanks,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Leonie Haimson<BR>Class Size Matters<BR>124 Waverly Pl.<BR>New =
York, NY=20
10011<BR>212-674-7320<BR><A=20
href=3D"mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</A><BR><A=20
href=3D"http://www.classsizematters.org">www.classsizematters.org</A></DI=
V>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> <STRONG>______________________________________________________=
_______________________</STRONG>=20
<H2>The War on Schools</H2>
<DIV></NYT_HEADLINE><NYT_BYLINE type=3D" " version=3D"1.0"><FONT =
size=3D-1><STRONG><A=20
href=3D"http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/06/opinion/06HERB.html">http://www=
.nytimes.com/2003/03/06/opinion/06HERB.html</A></STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3D-1><STRONG>By BOB HERBERT</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG>The New York Times</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV>
<H5>March 6, 2003</H5><NYT_HEADLINE type=3D" " =
version=3D"1.0"></DIV></NYT_BYLINE><!--plsfield:TEXT--><NYT_TEXT>
<P>There's something surreal about the fact that the United States of =
America,=20
the richest, most powerful nation in history, can't provide a basic =
public=20
school education for all of its children.</P>
<P>Actually, that's wrong. Strike the word "can't." The correct word is =
more=20
damning, more reflective of the motives of the people in power. The =
correct word=20
is "won't."</P><!-- Middle ad not targeted -->
<P>Without giving the costs much thought, we'll spend hundreds of =
billions of=20
dollars on an oil-powered misadventure in the Middle East. But we won't =
scrape=20
together the money for sufficient textbooks and teachers, or even, in =
some=20
cases, to keep the doors open at public schools in struggling districts =
from=20
Boston on the East Coast to Portland on the West.</P>
<P>In Oregon, which is one of many states facing an extreme budget =
crisis,=20
teachers have agreed to work two weeks without pay, thus averting plans =
to=20
shorten the school year by nearly five weeks. A funding crisis in Texas, =
where=20
the state share of school financing has reached a 50-year low and is =
expected to=20
go lower, has local officials preparing for cuts in everything from=20
extracurricular activities and elective subjects (like journalism) to =
teachers,=20
counselors and nurses.</P>
<P>"Districts across the state have been in a cost-cutting mode for a =
number of=20
years," said Karen Soehnge of the Texas Association of School =
Administrators.=20
"When you continue that cutting over a lengthy period of time, you're =
cutting to=20
the bone. We're concerned because in Texas we have increased standards =
for=20
student learning. So we have increasing expectations and diminishing =
resources,=20
two irreconcilable forces."</P>
<P>Similar stories can be heard in state after state. In New York, more =
than=20
1,000 students, teachers, administrators and activists traveled to =
Albany on=20
Tuesday to march against proposed state budget cuts that are so severe =
they mock=20
the very idea of the sound, basic education the state is obliged by law =
to=20
provide.</P>
<P>Among the banners and signs waved by the students was a placard that =
showed=20
an American flag and said: "Public Education =97 An American Dream. A =
Dream That=20
No One Wants to Pay For."</P>
<P>The superintendent of the Buffalo school system, Marion Canedo, was =
among=20
those who traveled to Albany. When she talks about the cuts she's had to =
make=20
and the cuts currently being considered, her voice has the tone of =
someone who=20
has just witnessed a chain-reaction auto wreck.</P>
<P>"It's the worst thing I've ever seen, and I've been in the district =
35=20
years," she said. "I mean we're looking at crazy things, like a four-day =
week,=20
no kindergarten, no pre-kindergarten, no sports."</P>
<P>If Gov. George Pataki's proposed cuts are enacted, the Buffalo =
schools will=20
be in a $65 million budget hole, with no viable solutions in sight.</P>
<P>"I've done everything I could think of," Ms. Canedo said. "I've =
closed=20
schools. I've suspended service at schools. It's been horrible."</P>
<P>There is no way to overstate the gulf between the need for funding =
and the=20
reality of funding in urban school districts. And that gulf is widening, =
not=20
narrowing.</P>
<P>Ms. Canedo gave one example of the many extraordinary needs. "I have =
students=20
who come here as maybe sophomores speaking no English whatsoever," she =
said. "We=20
have to make sure they pass the English Regents or they're not going to =
have a=20
high school diploma. Our job, our core mission, is to educate, not to =
warehouse.=20
So we need to give that student extra English all year long."</P>
<P>Education is the food that nourishes the nation's soul. When public =
officials=20
refuse to provide adequate school resources for the young, it's the same =
as=20
parents refusing to feed their children.</P>
<P>It's unconscionable. It's criminal.</P>
<P>The public school picture across the country is wildly uneven. There =
are many=20
superb school districts. But there are so many places like Buffalo =
(including=20
big and small cities and rural areas), where the schools are =
deliberately=20
starved of the resources they need, and those districts are the shame of =
a great=20
nation.</P>
<P>When it comes to education financing, the divisions among federal, =
state and=20
local government entities are mostly artificial. It's everyone's =
obligation to=20
educate the next generation of Americans.</P>
<P>It's an insane society that can contemplate devastating and then =
rebuilding=20
Iraq, but can't bring itself to provide schooling for all of its young =
people=20
here at home. </P>
<P>----------------------------------------------------------------------=
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-------------------------------------------------------------- <BR><=
BR><STRONG><EM>Please=20
contact the Governor, Assembly Speaker Silver, and Senate Majority =
Leader Bruno,=20
by phone, letter or fax. Ask them to restore all cuts to =
education,=20
including full funding for preK and class size reduction, including $225 =
million=20
for smaller classes, as they originally agreed to do when this program=20
began. Instead, they should close corporate loopholes and put a =
modest=20
income tax surcharge on those making more than $100,000 per=20
year.<BR></EM></STRONG><BR><BR>Governor George Pataki: <BR>State Capitol =
<BR>Albany NY, 12224<BR>telephone: 518-474-8390 or =
212-681-4580.<BR>Fax:=20
518- 474-1513<BR><BR><BR>Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver: <BR>250 =
Broadway, Ste.=20
23rd Fl.<BR>New York, NY 10007<BR>telephone: 518-455-3791 or=20
212-312-1420<BR>Fax: 518 -455-5459 or 212- 312-1418 <BR><BR><BR>Senate =
Majority=20
Leader Joseph Bruno: <BR>Majority Leader<BR>909 Legislative Office Bldg. =
Albany,=20
NY 12247<BR>telephone: 518-455-3191.<BR>Fax: 518- 455-2448 =
<BR><BR><BR>2.=20
<STRONG><EM>Next, send the same message to your state=20
legislators</EM></STRONG>. Just go to NYPIRG's page, plug in =
your=20
zip code and address, and your legislators' names and contact =
information will=20
appear: </P>
<P><A=20
href=3D"http://www.cmap.nypirg.org/netmaps/MyGovernment/NYC/MyGovernmentN=
YC.asp?cmd=3Dstart">http://www.cmap.nypirg.org/netmaps/MyGovernment/NYC/M=
yGovernmentNYC.asp?cmd=3Dstart</A>.=20
<BR><BR>.</FONT></P></DIV></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>
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