Bloomberg Says Layoffs Necessary, Refutes Cuomo's Budget Claim

Mayor Bloomberg delivered a not so subtle message to those who would seek to meddle with his budget decisions: back off.

Bloomberg's gruff sentiments were specifically targeted at Gov. Cuomo's aides who have said teacher layoffs are unnecessary.

The governor's aides have repeatedly claimed that teacher layoffs should not happen, even though the state faces a $10 billion budget shortfall. Bloomberg contends that, under Cuomo's proposed budget, 6,000 teachers would need to be cut.

"The governor's office may be an expert on the governor's office," Bloomberg said. "The governor's office is not an expert on the city . . . I think we have a little more credibility in speaking about what we can afford."

Cuomo's office declined to comment on Bloomberg's remarks.

The governor's budget would reduce funding to New York City by more than $1 billion.

Last week, Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy said every public school in the city has waste that should be trimmed before resorting to teacher layoffs.

Those sentiments mirrored Cuomo's assertion that there are several steps the city can take that don't involve giving educators the ax.

Those options include cutting the pay of school administrators making more than $150,000, freezing teacher pay, and having school district employees make the same health care contributions that state employees make.

Comments

[Steve1976]

06:53 PM on 02/24/2011

Governor Cuomo.. Senator Cuomo... President Corleone.. er Cuomo.

[Euranya]

05:03 PM on 02/23/2011

I have a proposal for Mayor Bloomberg: How about cutting school spending by not hiring outside "consultants" (if ever there were a dubious job description, it's "consultant") and "auditors" to come and evaluate NYC schools and teachers? Our school--a top public high school--was "audited" numerous times and "graded." Once, we were even audited by a well-paid firm from the U.K.! Necessary? No. Expensive? Yes. Save the teachers and ditch the consultants, I say!

[mbo2]

01:19 PM on 02/23/2011

I think Bloomberg needs to raise taxes.


ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

[jeffp26]

11:45 AM on 02/23/2011

Mike Bloomberg made his money honestly.

Andrew Cuomo is a thief, who took bribes from the very criminals (e.g., Andrew Farkas) he was supposed to be protecting citizens from.

So who do I trust? Mikey.

[NYCSSTeacher]

10:45 AM on 02/27/2011

How does your statement fit into the topic? And if Bloomberg made his money honestly (and if this is an important factor in your decision making ability), than why has his net worth increased over hie tenure as mayor? Why in about 9 years (his terms as mayor) has he become the 10th richest man in America? What has he done (and not done) with his power to increase his net worth so much? Isn't that just as important of a factor?

[nammy50]

10:52 AM on 02/23/2011

Do you think they are cutting education budgets in China?

Why do we hold educators and education in such low esteem? Public education and public libraries and further education made this country a world leader. Where will the innovation come from that we need to survive in this competetive world without great teachers?

[JusdaTruth]

11:08 AM on 02/23/2011

A wise man once told me that America can't afford so many educated people. Because if they were educated they would be aware of their situation and would oppose the people who are oppressing them. Remember the Vietnam protests. Some people say that occurred because of the education of the masses due to student aid provided by the government to keep America ahead of the Russians in the space race.There are people who would like America to become a banana republic.

[jeffp26]

11:43 AM on 02/23/2011

I agree with your post, but believe you got the tense wrong.

America is already a banana republic. Look at our politicians. Look at our supreme court. Look at how fat and dumb the "average" american is.

And consider that this country is single-handedly killing the entire planet.

We are a once thriving industrial country inhabited by third world people.

[Trojan505]

11:44 AM on 02/23/2011

The rich hold education in low esteem because they want to further widen the income gap between the masses and themselves. If the people can't read, write or think then they can't collectively fight for their own interests.

[shockedNawed]

05:29 PM on 02/24/2011

Now you're talking!

[librainstars]

10:23 AM on 02/23/2011

Maybe Mayor Bloomberg needs to go spend a few mths in the schools. Sit in the class rooms. Go to some CSE meetings.
Check out how many LD , Autism . ADD, ADHD kids there are.
How are we suppose to handle all that with 6000 less teachers?
Your letting the kids down imo and the parents.