We face a July 30 deadline to satisfy a court ruling requiring the state to provide children with a sound, basic education. Yet, the governor has repeatedly dragged his feet to find a solution to the Campaign for Fiscal Equity ruling by:

• Waging a $12 million legal battle to argue – unsuccessfully – that an eighth grade education is enough
• Waiting two months after the court’s June 26, 2003 ruling to appoint yet another commission to study education funding issues
• Setting a March 1 deadline for the commission’s report, well after the date required to present his budget
• Allowing the commission to postpone a release of its report until just two days before the April 1 budget deadline

Right now, we have an opportunity and a moral obligation to take care of New York’s struggling school districts. Assemblyman Cusick will fight to find a solution to the CFE decision that:

• Invests in smaller classes and quality early education programs
• Helps our children meet higher academic standards
• Provides teachers with the tools to maintain safe, civil classrooms