Marty Fights for Fiscal Equity for City Public Schools

On February 25th, Marty joined New York City Council Speaker Gifford Miller and his fellow borough presidents in announcing the City's filing of a friend of the court brief in support of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity's (CFE) appeal to the State's highest court to change the way the State funds its schools. "It is finally time for the State to stop treating the 1.1 million New York City public school students differently from students in Troy, Garrison or Saratoga Springs," Marty said. "This is an issue about basic fairness that has to be resolved now because our children have suffered for far too long. I am proud to join this fight because we are fighting for the future of New York City." The brief is in support of CFE's appeal filed on January 31, 2003, to the Court of Appeals in Albany. This appeal is the final step in the New York courts in the landmark school-funding lawsuit, CFE v. State of New York. CFE first brought suit against New York State in 1993. New York City has 38% of the State's students, yet receives only 35% of the State funding. In January 2001, the courts ruled in a historic decision by Justice Leland DeGrasse that the current school funding formula is "inequitable and unconstitutional." The trial court held that the current state system of funding schools violated the State Constitution. Then, in a stunning reversal in June 2002, the intermediate appeals court overruled the trail court's decision, holding that only an 8th grade level education will satisfy constitutional requirements.

Marty Joins College Students in 'No Tuition Hike' Protest

On February 26th, Marty joined hundreds of students to protest Governor Pataki's proposed tuition increases, financial aid cuts and reductions in higher education funding. Marty, along with Senator Martin Connor, Assemblyman Jim Brennan and Assemblywoman Joan Millman, met the students at NYC College of Technology before they marched over the Brooklyn Bridge. "Making a SUNY or CUNY education drastically more expensive, on top of slashing the student aid programs, would be a crippling blow for thousands upon thousands of students trying to get a college degree," Marty said. "You, as students, must make your voices heard by marching to Albany and letting Governor Pataki know that New York City won't stand for this. I recently testified in Albany about this crucial issue, but the students of New York must unite to ensure that these outrageous proposals aren't enacted." 'No Tuition Hike' is a 561-mile trek across New York State that culminates in Albany.

New Yorkers Say Don't Toll East River Bridges

A February 27th poll shows the overwhelming majority of New York City voters are saying no to tolling the East River Bridges. "This important new poll backs up what I've been saying all along," Marty said. "Tolling the East River Bridges is just plain wrong. It is a job killing tax that would be disproportionately placed on the backs of the thousands of Brooklynites who are inadequately served by public transportation and must drive over these bridges every day. I hope Mayor Bloomberg listens to what New Yorkers are saying and takes tolls off the table immediately. Instead of this Brooklyn commuter tax, Albany must permit the reinstitution of the true commuter tax, which is desperately needed to help the City out of this fiscal crunch." The Quinnipiac University poll found that 65% of New York City voters think Mayor Bloomberg's proposal to toll these bridges is a 'bad idea.' The poll can be found at www.quinnipiac.edu.

Don't Let Your Services Get Cut - This is Your Last Chance to Be Heard!!

The Brooklyn Borough Board will be holding three public hearings for residents to testify about the impacts of the Mayor's Preliminary Budget. Wednesday, March 5th - Noon - the Brooklyn Borough Hall Courtroom at 209 Joralemon Street. Thursday, March 6th - 6:00pm - Kingsbay YM-YWHA Auditorium at 3495 Nostrand Avenue (corner of Avenue V). Monday, March 10th - 6:00pm - Billie Holiday Theater - 1368 Fulton Street (corner of New York Avenue). We welcome your important suggestions for how the City could "do more with less," while still protecting our most vital services. Please register upon entry if you would like to speak at a hearing.

Rededication of Brooklyn Heights Post Office

On February 24th, Marty celebrated the reopening and rededication of the Cadman Plaza Post Office in Brooklyn Heights with various community and post office officials. The facility was formerly known as the General Post Office and has been in operation for over 100 years. "This beautifully renovated facility is a fantastic addition to Downtown Brooklyn. I know Postmaster Joseph Lubrano, and his entire staff, will continue providing first class service all across our borough," Marty said.

Marty Blasts Hall of Fame for Not Electing the Great Gil Hodges

On February 26th, Dodger great Gil Hodges missed getting elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by just 11 votes. "We wuz robbed once again," Marty said. "There is no doubt in my mind that Gil Hodges belongs up in Cooperstown with fellow Dodger greats like Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider. Major League Baseball allowed the Dodgers to bail on Brooklyn in 1957 and denying his enshrinement is pouring more salt onto our open wound. I know that Gil Hodges will get those additional votes, so we, as Brooklyn Dodger fans, will finally be able to visit his statue in the birthplace of baseball."