Apr 27, 2011 — School across the North Country finalized their budget plans last week. Now they go before the voters on Tuesday, May 17.

Most spending plans raise taxes and cut staff and programs. But the situation could have been worse if teachers didn't help out.

According to New York State United Teachers, at least 200 local teachers' unions - or about a third statewide - accepted contract concessions or restructuring to give more money to their school budgets.

Pressure to do so came from the highest levels of state government, and some say teachers didn't give enough. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Mar 30, 2011 — Teachers, public workers, renters, health care advocates and college students are packing sleeping bags and toothbrushes in preparation for a massive protest of state budget cuts at the Capitol. The demonstrators from various groups across the state plan an overnight camp-in starting this afternoon to protest Governor Andrew Cuomo's plan to close a $10 billion budget gap with cuts in education and health care spending and state worker layoffs. Organizers expect up to 1,000 people to participate in a variety of events.

Meanwhile, lawmakers passed the first state budget bills last night, and say they are still hoping for an on time budget. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Mar 18, 2011 — The fight between Cuomo and school districts flared up when Governor Cuomo delivered a stern lecture to schools, who are complaining about the governor's proposed budget cuts to education, saying they are playing a "game" and issuing empty "threats". Karen Dewitt reports.  Go to full article

Mar 04, 2011 — School districts across the North Country are working to assemble their budgets for the next school year.

Faced with rising expenses, looming state aid reductions and the possibility of a tax levy cap, many districts are planning sweeping cuts that may include staff and teacher layoffs.

That threat has left many teachers on edge, wondering whether their jobs are secure.

In Saranac Lake, where the school district is considering layoffs for the second consecutive year, a large group of teachers showed up at a school board meeting this week to deliver a statement to school officials.

Chris Knight has details.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Mar 02, 2011 — The push to change teacher hiring rules to end the policy of last hired first fired got a boost when Governor Andrew Cuomo introduced a bill to extend the proposal to all schools in the state. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Feb 21, 2011 — There's just six weeks until the New York State budget is due, and groups affected by Governor Andrew Cuomo's proposed $10 billion in cuts have begun stepping up their efforts to win public support for alternatives, like extending a tax on the rich. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Feb 18, 2011 — A major New York State union is going on the air with televisions ads to try to convince state lawmakers to continue a tax on the wealthy instead of adopting Governor Cuomo's billion and half dollars in school aid cuts. Karen Dewitt reports.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Feb 16, 2011 — In a move that veteran lawmakers called "unprecedented", Governor Andrew Cuomo sent his Lieutenant Governor, Robert Duffy, to defend his proposed school aid cuts to a joint hearing of the legislature's education and fiscal committees. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Feb 14, 2011 — A report released last week by the state Education Department estimates that 74 percent of school districts outside of New York City have a big enough fund balance to pay for Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed state aid cuts.

The numbers show that districts have about $1.16 billion in their reserve accounts, along with a little more than $355 million in federal stimulus funds leftover from last year.

But opponents of Cuomo's budget cuts say that's just not true.

They claim the aid cuts will force thousands of teacher layoffs and result in increased taxes, especially in poor North Country districts.

Chris Morris has our story.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Aug 23, 2010 — Earlier this month, Democratic candidate for Governor Andrew Cuomo received the backing of the state's AFL-CIO. However, not all unions that are members of the public-private organization are endorsing the Attorney General for governor. Karen Dewitt reports.  Go to full article