PRESS RELEASE April 2, 2020
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Lorey A. Zaman, President
Kyle McCauley Belokopitsky, Esq., Executive Director
518-817-3017 (cell)
execdirector@nyspta.org (email)
Today, NYS Protected our Children, NYS PTA is Thankful
April 2, 2020 (Albany) – NYS PTA is highly pleased with many aspects of the soon-to-be enacted State Budget.
While the school aid increase is far short of what we previously called for, we are appreciative that expected cuts did not materialize under the current fiscal circumstances. We continue to be concerned about this coming school year, and the possibility of mid-year school aid cuts is alarming. However, we will diligently work with other stakeholders to continue to fully support students, families, educators and schools, making every child’s potential a reality.
Further, we are extremely pleased that New York State has banned flavored e-cigarettes, a long priority of NYS PTA, its leadership, regions, councils, units, and members.
New York State PTA President Lorey A. Zaman offered, “We are thrilled that after years of advocacy, New York stands tall in protecting our children. We are truly thankful to Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal, Senator Brad Hoylman, and Governor Cuomo for their tireless leadership in advancing this child welfare issue forward. This law proves that the health of NYS children remains a critical priority of NYS.”
Assembly Member Rosenthal and Senator Hoylman have been leaders on this issue in the legislature, and Governor Cuomo took the lead with his #NoVapeNY initiative. This victory wouldn’t have come to fruition without their leadership.
“Today is a day New York can be proud,” added NYS PTA Executive Director Kyle Belokopitsky. “We cannot thank Assembly Member Rosenthal, Senator Hoylman, and Governor Cuomo enough for their years of advocacy on this issue. NYS PTA members, nearly 300,000 across New York State, kept up their fierce advocacy throughout, and today their hard work was rewarded, our children are protected.”
We are also pleased that the legalization of recreational marijuana was not included in the enacted state budget. NYS PTA will continue to vigorously oppose this proposal, alongside our many partners in education, health, and law enforcement to protect the health of every child.