(ALBANY, NEW YORK) - Opposition to the Federal Private School Voucher Program is growing across New York, as some of the State’s most prominent Elected Leaders have joined Educators, parents, Civil Rights Organizations and Labor Unions in warning against opting New York into the new Federal program.

New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli are among the latest State Leaders who have raised concerns about the voucher scheme and are calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to protect New York’s Public Schools.

"New York’s Leaders are sending an unmistakable message: Don’t gamble with our Public Schools,” New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) President Melinda Person said. “We now know what the Federal rules look like and they are worse than we feared. New York would put its name on this program while Washington controls the rules. With Leaders from across our State raising serious concerns, there is simply no reason to opt into this experiment.”

United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew said: "This isn't about education. It is about the Federal Government worming its way into classrooms across the State. It doesn't matter your political bent. I think we can agree that the last thing we want is the Federal Government dictating how our children should be educated."

Their opposition comes as recently-released Federal Regulations make clear New York would have little ability to impose its own standards, safeguards or accountability measures if it chooses to participate.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said: "I am apprehensive about this Federal proposal and have serious reservations about the potential impact it could have on Public Schools across New York State. New York should not opt in to this program. The regulations announced would undercut New York's ability to establish meaningful guardrails, leaving the State with little control over which schools and expenses qualify or how this funding is used and would allow those dollars to potentially flow to schools out of the State. We have finally been able to fully fund our schools after years of neglect and lawsuits. New York should remain focused on strengthening the Public School System and improving educational outcomes for all students. We have an obligation to every student in New York State to make sure they have access to a quality education, and that means continuing to invest in the public schools that serve students in every community across our state."

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said: “The Assembly Majority will always prioritize quality education for New York’s students and ensure that Public Schools are fully funded. Public dollars should support Public Schools that serve all children and are accountable to the taxpayers who fund them. New York should opt out of the Federal Voucher Program and continue investing in the public schools that educate the overwhelming majority of our children.”

The opposition extends beyond Albany.

Earlier this year, 15 Democratic Members of New York’s Congressional Delegation wrote to Governor Hochul urging her to protect New York’s long-standing commitment to public education and warning about the impact of the Federal Voucher proposal.

And concern crosses party lines.

U.S. Representative Andrew Garbarino, a Republican, also wrote to Hochul urging her to opt out of the program.

Opposition to the program has already united more than 80 organizations representing educators, parents, School Boards, Superintendents, Labor and Civil Rights Advocates.

New Yorkers have also expressed strong opposition to diverting taxpayer resources toward Private-School vouchers.

New York has a choice. It does not have to participate.

With the State’s Legislative Leaders, Members of Congress, Education Organizations, Labor Unions, Civil Rights Advocates and New Yorkers across the State Raising Concerns, NYSUT and UFT are calling on Governor Hochul to reject participation in the Federal Voucher Program.

To Read This Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: New York elected leaders unite against federal private school voucher scheme