Wednesday, December 16, 2009

George Heidcamp joins Teachers' Unions to sue Gov.Patterson

More on the education funding lawsuit
An excerpt continues:
The lawsuit seeks to stop the governor from usurping the constitutional policy-making authority of the Legislature, and asks the court to order the governor to release the appropriated funds immediately. The suit notes that, if the court does not stop the governor’s actions, “He will only be emboldened to take other … unilateral action, further unbalancing the three coordinate branches of government (and) silencing the voice of the people.”
“The governor is well-aware that his actions violate the Constitution but he seems intent on carrying through with them regardless of his constitutional obligations,” the suit states.
Among the suit’s plaintiffs are NYSUT through its President Iannuzzi; NYSSBA through its President Wayne Schlifke; NYSCOSS through its President Robinson; and SAANYS through its President Peter Kruszynski. CFE, NYSASBO and the state PTA are strongly backing the groups’ lawsuit.
Other individual plaintiffs include Doug Becker, a math teacher in Churchville-Chili; Brian Boyd, a fourth-grade teacher from Yonkers; George Heidcamp, president of the board of education in Saugerties; Paul Hetland, a social studies teacher from Rochester; Florence D. Johnson, a member of the board of education in Buffalo and president-elect of NYSSBA; Kimberly Petramale, a math teacher in Saugerties; and Harry B. Reeder, a member of the board of education in Herkimer.
In addition to Paterson, the suit names as defendants the state Division of Budget and Budget Director Robert L. Megna, as well as state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

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