Some great news from DFER

(please add your email address at www.dfer.org if you'd like to receive DFER updates directly):

 

1. March "Ed Reformer of the Month" Jose Peralta was elected to the New York Senate last night in the special election to replace dethroned Hiram Monserrate. Thanks to all of you who supported him. He will be an important supporter in this push to lift the cap on charter schools this spring.

 

2. In Rhode Island last night, the House voted 69-3 to lift the cap on charter schools there. We have come a long, long way from the days (only 2 years ago) when the mayoral academy bill that we supported squeaked by with a 41-30 vote. Thanks to all of you for supporting Speaker Gordon Fox, and many other house members in the time since. Rhode Island is one of the most exciting places on the map right now for education reform.

 

3. Mark your calenders:

 

-- April 9, breakfast fundraiser with Andrew Cuomo (the next governor of NY) at the Regency, NYC, 8 a.m.

-- April 22, fundraiser for Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA) at Andy Rotherham's house in Arlington, VA.

-- April 24, Joe's 40th birthday and fundraiser for Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) in NYC, location TBD.