THE EDUCATION GOV?

A great Op Ed in the NY Post about Paterson's focus on education and his bold views:

As a state senator, Paterson also personally and actively encouraged the opening of charters in his Harlem district. Smith has taken a similar hands-on approach, helping found two charters in his Queens district.

Democrats for Education Reform, which supports charters and school choice, this week called Paterson "a warrior on behalf of the families who crave and need excellent public-education options for their kids."

Some news accounts have reported that Paterson is a voucher supporter; in fact, he hasn't crossed that bridge, yet - though he credits pro-voucher Booker with helping him understand the issue much better. Paterson sees Booker "as part of an emerging generation - which I hope I'm still in - to try to examine new ideas and not always worry about who brought the ideas."

Like Govs. Eliot Spitzer and George Pataki before him, Paterson does support educational tax credits, which could be tapped by parents with children in public and private schools alike.

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THE EDUCATION GOV?

NY Post

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03172008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/the_education_gov__102370.htm

By THOMAS W. CARROLL

March 17, 2008 -- GOV. David A. Paterson's address to a joint session of the Legislature today may be the most important gubernatorial speech since Gov. Hugh Carey's "the days of wine and roses are over" speech of 1975, delivered after Carey took office amid New York's fiscal crisis.