NY GOP Chairman Ed Cox: Senate Republicans to Thank for Critical "Race to the Top" Funds

~ GOP Lawmakers Applied pressure to Dems following their inaction back in January~

Albany, NY….August 24, 2010 – The following is a statement from New York State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox following today’s announcement by the U.S. Department of Education that New York has been awarded up to $700 million in Race to the Top funding towards new education grants to the state:

“Today’s announcement represents a huge victory for New York State’s education system and for our school children.  All New Yorkers should commend the leadership of State Senate Republicans who applied the necessary pressure to their hapless Democrat colleagues to ensure this important funding was received. The Democrat Senate Majority’s inaction in January which shocked so many New Yorkers, failed to raise the cap on charter schools, and caused the state to lose out on the initial round of federal funding. 

“Thanks to the consistent pressure applied by Republicans in the legislature, a bill was passed expanding the cap on Charter Schools from 200 to 460, providing New York State with another opportunity to receive significant federal education funding for our children.  This grant money and education reforms long supported by GOP lawmakers, including evaluating teachers based on classroom performance and increasing the number of charter schools will provide expanded opportunities for students across the state and real property tax relief for New Yorkers.” 

 

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