Tuesday, May 01, 2007

With an Average 7% School Tax Increase for Nassau, I'm Glad Our Legislators Solved the School Funding Problem

Oh wait, they didn't.
BUT they have some free time on their hands.

Posted on the Daily News blog Daily Politics...

"Legislative Idol

It doesn't get much better than this...


On Tuesday, May 29, members of the state Assembly will strut their stuff at a local Albany bar in a mock American Idol contest in order to raise money for two charities: The Alzheimer's Association and Justice for Children International.

So far, the contestants include: Joe Lentol and William Colton, both Brooklyn Democrats; Joe Saladino, a Long Island Republican; Bill Parment, a Jamestown Democrat; and Dan Burling, a Warsaw Republican.

Individuals or teams will be performing a song of their choice in front of a panel of judges that includes Assembly Sargeant at Arms Wayne Jackson (in the role of Randy); Paul Rapp, a local music critic (playing Simon), and Marilee King of Zap Legislative Courier Service (standing in for Paula Abdul).

Sen. Joe Robach (R-Rochester) will emcee the event, a la Ryan Seacrest. The winner will be selected through audience applause. The prize? Bragging rights and a trophy.

A band known as the "Budget Blues Boys," which includes Parment, Saladino, Assemblyman Richard Brodsky (D-Westchester), and Assemblyman Dennis Gabryszak, (D-Cheektowaga).

I promise to have a camera by then."

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I'm pretty sure the average tax increase was closer to 5% (look at the increase in the tax levy not the increase in the budget), but still.......the reason the legislators can't resolve the issue of school taxes is that the teachers unions have a strong influence in Albany. Watch for a new bill that they want which will stop requiring them to contribute 3% to their pensions. Do you know anyone who doesn't have to contribute to their pensions? Ask your local school board how much money they spend on post retirement benefits and compare it to like 5 years ago.
Last year there was a bill which basically stated that in negotiations (school, village etc) if there is an impasse and a hearing officer determines that the entity (school, village) is not negotiating in good faith, the last offer of the UNION is the final increase. No one knows who will make this determination of good faith or what it will be based on. EVERY SINGLE NYS legislator voted FOR this bill and Pataki vetoed it. Will Spitzer? Imagine your property taxes after a few contracts under this new law.
Hmmmmmmmmmm