Sam Hoyt supports Spitzer's education plan

Kudos to Sam Hoyt, Democratic State Assemblyman from Buffalo, for being one of the greatest champions of charter schools and other genuine school reform measures in Albany!

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Date:      January 31, 2007

Contact: Sam Hoyt (716) 830-1958

HOYT: GOVERNOR'S EDUCATION PROPOSAL DESERVES AN A-PLUS

ASSEMBLYMAN APPLAUDS CHARTER SCHOOL PROPOSAL AND TRANSITION AID

 

ALBANY – Assemblymember Sam Hoyt (D-Buffalo, Grand Island) applauded Governor Spitzer's education proposal.  Among the Governor's proposals were: record investments in education and linking aid to performance; raising the cap on charter schools from 100 to 250; and providing for universal Pre-K.

Hoyt said that "As the state legislature's leading advocate for charter schools, I was thrilled to hear that the governor not only called for increasing the number of charters in New York from 100 to 250 but also calls for providing over $11.29 million in charter school transitional aid to help the Buffalo schools deal with financial impact that charter schools have on the district." 

Hoyt continued, "Inner city parents have no choice when it comes to where to send their children to school.  Charters provide poor, urban parents the choice that their more affluent peers already enjoy.  By increasing the cap on charters, Governor Spitzer is telling parents that their children will no longer be hostages to what is too often a broken educational system"

Hoyt was also pleased with the governor's proposed increase in general aid for the city of Buffalo schools which, including the transitional aid totaled over 9.4% percent in year-to-year increase.  This increase, totaling more than $48.26 Million will represent a state contribution to the Buffalo City Public Schools of over $565 Million dollars.  Hoyt said "In previous years we had to fight for more aid for Buffalo, I am happy to hear that Governor is following through on his promise to help Buffalo in its hour of need."

Hoyt also supports the proposal for universal Pre-K throughout the State.  Hoyt said "studies show that the sooner we educate kids, the better their chances are in life."  Hoyt said that preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow means starting education earlier "I hear parents and teachers say that if they even had a few more hours a day they could do so much more for our students – with an additional year we can hopefully make a giant leap forward."